I enter into His presence this morning with a request. A request for the Lord to strip me naked before Him. To uncover every hidden pattern of sin, lofty pride, spirit of jealousy, bitterness, anger, impure motives of the heart, lack of humility, desires of the flesh, and every thought that runs rampant in my mind exalting things above Christ Himself. I ask Him to shine with a fierce cry His light on all thought processes and even teachings by man that are not His. This all is required in true repentance. Wash me, Lord.

 

I see myself for who I really am. I am ashamed but His mercy is evident. I offer no excuses I just confess everything.

 

I tell Him, Lord, I don’t want that in me! Take it! Transform me by the power of Your Spirit! On my own, I can do nothing to change myself. My heart has a mind of its own… and a lifetime of moments has taken a toll.

 

One layer is peeled off to find yet another piece of clothing covering more that is far from the likeness of Christ. I weep. I want it gone. He comes. Tears seem to draw His heart and He gently loves on me.

 

My heart is bare before Him. I let go of all the walls and protection and allow His light to shine in every darkened corner. There are many.

 

Naked, Lord. Finish the work. Transformation please.

 

Every wound and pain has welled up in a way that has become a playground of dry bones. Hurts have mounted and made a wall in some places that secure safety to my heart. Yet, while so much is successfully kept out, so is Jesus. I have guarded myself in my own humanness and He is asking will I give the ground over to Him?

 

Underneath the deeper layers are words. Words that seem brave and intelligent… even religious. Yet He glares at them lovingly and says, “That’s a cover up for what is really pride.” Pride built to allow me not to deal with emotions and moments in time that need to be reopened so He can heal fully. He rips off the band-aid. It is excruciating. But He pours a healing balm. It feels like a dam broke.

 

The process is long and much goes undetected by human eyes. I look well-dressed. Pure. Holy. But As I stand before Him stripped of all things that hide the real me, I see I am not any of those things. But He is.

 

As I walk through the hidden hallways of my own heart with Christ, I notice He begins to give me a new wardrobe. He reminds me that His holiness is mine. His purity is mine given by His blood that covers me. I cannot attain it in my own strength. He also reminds me that often a cleansing of one’s heart before Him is necessary for a healthy walk with Him. I cannot keep from Him anything. All is found out under His light. This is true intimacy. There must be nothing between us.

 

There is an incredible peace that comes over me and so many burdens I didn’t realize were there have lifted and gone. Freedom.

 

I leave fully dressed in His clothes for me and am overwhelmed by His goodness and kindness, even in light of my sin. His mercy really does endure forever.

 

He hears my heart whisper this and reminds me a final truth, “It has been hurled into the deep sea, daughter….leave it there.”

 

You will be merciful to us once again. You will trample our sins underfoot and send them to the bottom of the sea! Micah 7:19