Remove The Covers
Monday, February 28
Remove The Covers
But you desire honesty from the heart so you can teach me to be wise in my inmost being. Psalm 51:6
Growing my mother used a cover to keep the sofa clean. It worked! If we happen to be eating in the living room and there was a spill the cover was effective at keeping the sofa safe from stain. This got me thinking of how much we too use covers to hide what is on the inside. We use blankets and covers trying to be something that we aren’t – trying to fit other people’s expectations, images or ‘likes’? Maybe we have produced our own covers because we really dislike what’s underneath, and we feel ashamed and afraid that the real ‘me’ isn’t good enough.
It’s scary, but just too easy to do! Instead of allowing the Lord to reveal the truth of our hearts, we cover it over and pretend it’s not there. Whatever’s underneath – jealousy, bitterness, pride, a hunger for love and acceptance, greed, a deep search for significance and worth, judgment and criticism (the list goes on…) – God wants us to be real. He wants us to come to Him in truth – flaws and all.
What a relief to give up the pretense and the sheer effort of keeping ourselves covered! Jesus sees us in all His completeness and loves us anyway. Does He want us to change? Absolutely, but we can’t do it ourselves in our own strength. Only He can bring the true change to our lives, as we acknowledge our need (or repent of our sinful ways) and allow Him to transform us deep on the inside.
Today, will you ask the Lord to show you any covers you have adopted and dare to trust Him to reach underneath with His love and His truth?
Prayer for today: Lord Jesus, I’m sorry for the times I have tried to re-create myself into someone that I am not. Thank You that, as the craftsman of my life, You love me as your precious creation. Lord, please help me to be real. Would You show me the covers I have placed over my heart, and would You help me to begin a journey of walking in true relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.