Bare Behind

The whole idea of revealing too much of yourself can cause much concern.

2 Peter 3.10-18

Reference:  v.10  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.  The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.  (NIV Bible)

Explore:  My recurring dreams are never identical in location but they always hold the same theme.  As a child, my dream’s recurring theme would be turning up to primary school for the day only to discover I was not wearing any pants.  The idea that other people would notice my bare behind would leave me feeling quite disturbed.  The whole idea of revealing too much of yourself can cause much concern.
When the Lord returns we are told that everything ‘will be laid bare’.  This may make us feel rather vulnerable (like turning up at school pantless and being rather self-conscious that too much is revealed).  But if we really got down to it, we already believe that God knows all things about us.  However, we seem to push that idea aside and fill our lives with materialism, popularity and conditional love.  This idea of everything on earth being laid bare when the Lord returns really represents what God already sees.

Application:  God is not wowed by our pay rise or impressed by a new item of clothing.  God sees our hearts… He already sees us laid bare.  When we realise that God is not taken by our outward adornments we realise that to please Him is to live a holy life.  In verse 14 it tells us to ‘make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him.’  We can not conceal ourselves from God.  He knows all our thoughts and desires. Lay yourself bare to the Lord and live according to that which makes you ‘at peace with Him’.

Prayer:  Lord, you know our comings and our goings.  May we put aside the earth things that we cover ourselves with and lay ourselves bare to You.  Amen.

How does being ‘bare’ before God make you feel?  What are some things that need changing in your life to bring you ‘peace with Him’?

Linda Bailey is currently away.  I hope you enjoyed reading one of her favourite REAP articles from 2009 so far.

2 Peter