Come to
Stillness:
Take a few
minutes to allow your mind and heart to be still before
God.
Opening Prayer:
O Lord my God, how I long to recapture the purity and joy of the Garden—when I was able to stand before you (and others) naked and unashamed. That, indeed, is what I was made for. But this side of heaven that is not my reality. My reality is filled with fear and shame; hiding and covering—terrified that I will be exposed, found out, not enough. How I genuinely long for true communion with you; total vulnerability; deep trust—to be fully known and fully loved. Have mercy on me! Amen. (JLB)
Psalm for the Week: Psalm 30
Scripture for the Day: Genesis 2:18-25
Reading for Reflection:
Naked. How does that word make you feel? What is the first response that comes up from
within you? Terror? Embarrassment? Anxiety?
Shame? Or does it bring about
more positive feelings? Freedom? Intimacy?
Delight? I have to admit that my
first response is closer to terror than anything else. Even the mention of the word makes me want to
grab for cover. Because at my fearful core
being naked means being exposed and uncovered—which seems so unsafe. It means being seen for who and what I really
am, not just who I project myself to be.
And surely if anyone were ever to see me completely naked it would most
certainly lead to rejection. Thus the
very idea of being naked leads to overwhelming amounts of fear and insecurity.
But there is another side to this
story. Because somewhere deep within me
(and really within all of us I believe) there is a longing for nakedness—a
nakedness that we were created both in and for.
It is the kind of nakedness mentioned in Genesis where we are told that
the man and woman were both naked and unashamed. They were totally known and yet totally
loved. What a beautiful picture of our
deepest hopes and wildest dreams: total vulnerability and total
acceptance. This is the kind of
nakedness we were made for. This is the
kind of nakedness that gives us a hint of the type of relationship God longs
for with each of us; and the type of relationship God longs for each of us to
offer one another.
I’m
too alone in the world, yet not alone enough
to
make each hour holy.
I’m
too small in the world, yet not small enough
to
be simply in your presence, like a thing—
just
as it is.
I
want to know my own will
and
move with it.
And
I want, in the hushed moments
when
the nameless draws near,
to
be among the wise ones—
or
alone.
I
want to mirror your immensity.
I
want never to be too weak or too old
to
bear the heavy, lurching image of you.
I
want to unfold.
Let
no place in me hold itself closed,
for
where I am closed, I am false
I
want to stay clear in your sight.
I
would describe myself
like
a landscape I’ve studied
at
length, in detail;
like
a word I’m coming to understand;
like
a pitcher I pour from at mealtime;
like
my mother’s face;
like
a ship that carried me
when
the waters raged.
(The Book of Hours by Rainer Maria
Rilke)
Reflection and Listening: silent and written
Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself
Song for the Week: Just As I Am
Just as I am without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come. I come.
Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot.
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come. I come.
Just as I am, tho’ tossed about,
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings within, and fears without,
O Lamb of God, I come. I come.
Just as I am poor, wretched, blind—
Sight, riches, healings of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee I find,
O Lamb of God, I come. I come.
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve,
O yes Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come. I come.
Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, give me the grace and the strength and the courage to take off that which I use to cover myself; and to clothe myself only and always in you alone. Amen. (JLB)
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