THE SHAME OF NAKEDNESS - Michelle McKinney Hammond
THE SHAME OF NAKEDNESS - Michelle McKinney Hammond
[Adam] answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”
GENESIS 3:10
One night I had a dream that I was wandering aimlessly through a labyrinth that ended in a cavernous room. The room was actually a shower. The water looked so cool and inviting that I disrobed and allowed the water to cascade over me. As I stood there beneath the water, the most beautiful man I’d ever seen entered. As he walked toward me I was overwhelmed by his perfection and even more aware of my nakedness. I was covered with ugly scars from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. I dropped my head in shame because there was nowhere to hide. I was embarrassed by my desire for him because, after all, no one as beautiful as he was would go for the likes of me.”
But still he came. Silently he stood behind me and began washing me. He touched my scars gently. There was healing in his touch. He never asked any questions. He soundlessly continued washing me as I wept. And then he took a huge, white terry cloth robe and engulfed me in it. My sobs reverberated off the walls of the shower as he held me.
I woke with my face drenched in tears. In the silence of the night the Lord spoke quietly. “Michelle, you never have to hide from Me. I am well able to cover you with My loveliness.”
At the end of the day we can never cover our nakedness, heal our wounds, and remedy our sinful natures. That is a job for the very One we’re running from. Turn to Jesus and run into His arms. Allow Him to become your refuge and kneel before the cross. Yield to His touch and lose your shame beneath His gaze. Come out, come out, wherever you are!
I woke with my face drenched in tears. In the silence of the night the Lord spoke quietly. “Michelle, you never have to hide from Me. I am well able to cover you with My loveliness.”
At the end of the day we can never cover our nakedness, heal our wounds, and remedy our sinful natures. That is a job for the very One we’re running from. Turn to Jesus and run into His arms. Allow Him to become your refuge and kneel before the cross. Yield to His touch and lose your shame beneath His gaze. Come out, come out, wherever you are!
In what ways have you felt exposed? What is the cause of your nakedness?
PRAY THIS PRAYER WITH ME:
“Heavenly Father, take me into Your arms and cover me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
“Heavenly Father, take me into Your arms and cover me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
