It was a glimpse of exposure.
In the exposure were flaws, imperfections I don't want to see. And I could not help but feel ugly.
Exposure is disclosure of something private or secret Today was not the first time I have felt like this. I have been exposed before and it has not always been in the privacy of a locked bathroom. My words have exposed me worse than that mirror. Words of discontentment, jealousy, anger or pride (just to name a few) have left me feeling ashamed. Glimpses in the wrong direction expose my weaknesses. Thoughts too unacceptable to speak expose the depravity of my humanness.
But this one glimpse exposed it all. From the skin, to the heart, to the mind and soul.
I found myself asking a familiar question. It is a question I have repeatedly asked this last year. It is my defense against the enemy when those flaming arrows start flying.
What is the Truth here, Rachael?
The truth revealed in the x-ray of that mirror was this: I AM NOT PERFECT. But the one I married to whom I am most often exposed, has grace for my imperfections. And the Lord who is my El Roi (the God who sees), is exposed to even more and in His graciousness has called me His own.
Intimacy requires exposure. In Exodus 33: 12 the Lord said to Moses, "I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight." In John 15:4 Jesus says, "Abide in Me and I in you."
Exposure is necessary in relationship and grace is essential. The Lord sees all and looks upon all with grace. I must allow the exposure of the ugly in order to receive grace from the One who makes all things beautiful
Ugliness saps me of self-confidence and makes me want to bury myself under a pile of fig leaves. But in that place of hiding, I cannot receive the grace He so desperately desires to lavish over me.
So, I drop the towel. And I look into the mirror and see. . . .
grace, forgiveness, and mercy like a robe of the finest silk concealing the ugliness, the imperfections, and the sins, making the exposure beautiful
"Let us therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16
"For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
"Therefore I counsel you to purchase from Me gold refined and tested by fire, that you may be [truly] wealthy, and white clothes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nudity from being seen, and salve to put on your eyes, that you may see.
"Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude]." Revelation 3:17-19 AMP
So I have to ask: What are you wearing today? What is the message of the garment that clothes you?
Is it time for a change of clothes?
Just remember in the taking off of the garments of wretchedness, before the putting on of the garment of grace is nakedness and exposure.
And it is hard. And it is ugly. But it is necessary.
So in the exposure raise your arms in surrender and receive the garments of grace that He so graciously offers.