The Safest Place I Know

We live in a world that constantly encourages us to cover up. I’m not just talking about physically, though there is certainly a billion dollar makeup industry that takes care of that. But I mean beyond that. I’m talking about the pressure to keep our emotions covered up, our controversial opinions hidden. Even our spirituality and relationship with God is expected to be kept to ourselves, so that we never make anyone uncomfortable. It’s no wonder so many of us walk around with our heads spinning, trying to figure out how to walk the thin line of social propriety we’ve been given.

Dealing with that is exhausting. But the worst part isn’t even that. The worst part is that if we’re not careful, we will buy into the lie that this is also how we should approach God. With careful steps and muted tones. With a fear and timidity that is often mistaken for reverence.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we shouldn’t view God with reverence. We should always approach him with humility, aware of how holy and good and great he is. But what Jesus did for us on the cross gave us the right to come to him not just as our Creator, but also as our Father - in the truest sense of the word.

When I think of meeting with God, I think of coming home to the safety of my room. My room is the safest place I know. There are no judging eyes here, no one to size up my outfit or shake their head because I’m not being as productive as I should be. No one here is telling me to change out of my comfy, old sweats, or that it’s not okay to treat myself to an episode of Netflix. My bedroom is pretty much a sanctuary when I come home. It’s the place where I can wash off my makeup and kick off my heels, and know I don’t have to be self-conscious about not being put together.

And this is exactly how we should approach God. We should come to him with the masks washed off. Leave the mask that says you’ve got it all together at the door. Change out of the appearance that you’re never anxious or angry or afraid. Let your hair down and put your feet up. Talk to him with the deepest honesty you can muster. And know that he is not phased or disgusted or intimidated by your mess.

God is not like the world, guys. He is not even like other imperfect, though well-meaning people. He is always good, and always holy. He always wants to hear your voice, and never condemn you for your honesty. What he does do is convict (oh, he does that so often to me). But his conviction is one of love. You know, never has he corrected me on something and I didn’t come out of that conversation feeling even more confident of his love for me. Because that’s what he does - He corrects us because he loves us. Not too shame us, or belittle us. But to empower us, and to lift us up.

So don’t let the reality of your failures keep you from coming to him. Don’t let the conflicting voices of the world keep you from being honest with him. Approach God like he is the safest, most comfortable part in your life. Approach him like a father who fully knows you and fully loves you. Because that’s exactly who he is, and who he’s always been.

#christian #2016