A couple years ago, I had a really profound conversation with two of my dear friends in Brooklyn (shout out to Sarah Castor and Mohan Bell). It was honestly super random. We were sitting on a bench in downtown Brooklyn late one evening, killing time. I don’t remember why. But one thing led to another and before long we were having a conversation that I knew I would remember for years to come. We were talking about Adam and Eve. One of them said something about shame and fig leaves and a lightbulb switched on. I don’t even remember all that we said, but I remember walking away from that on a quest for truth.
I went home that night and read the first few chapters of Genesis all over again. Oh my heavens. Why didn’t I see it before?
It has been a really long time since Adam and Eve were strolling through the garden. But we are still exactly like them. When I look at their story, I see us. I mean duh. Father and mother of all humanity. But really it took me by surprise how much I can look at their lives and see my own life explained and reflected. I see two main things. 1. How we respond to sin 2. Gods original design and intent.
Sometimes I think about the garden of Eden. Walking with God is obviously the most appealing aspect. But I think a very close second, is being naked. Before Eve bit the fruit, we see how God originally designed humans to exist. In perfect harmony and oneness with Him. And completely vulnerable, exposed and defenseless around each other. But there was no need for defense.
They had no facade, no mask, no covering. They were naked and unashamed. And yes it sounds pretty fun to run around naked. Sometimes clothes are restricting.
But I’m not really talking about baring more skin. I’m caught up on the idea of baring more soul.
Let your mind go there for a minute. What would your life look like if the only voice informing your idea of who you are was the voice of a God and Creator who loves you? What would you live, who would you be if no one had ever told you “you can’t” or “you’re not good enough” or “you should be ashamed.” Can you imagine? Being fully and wholly you, to the core, with no apologies and no need to defend yourself? No need to people please or try to fit in. Just naked and unashamed.
Adam and Eve were never intended to believe that their nakedness was a bad thing or that it was a sign of weakness. When they were listening to God’s voice there was no need for fig leaves.
“Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.” Genesis 2:25
But we all know what happens.
Eve, tempted by Satan, takes a bite.
In one moment, they were no longer at peace with their nakedness. Cue Shame. Shame entered their hearts. They were vulnerable and for the first time in history they thought that was a bad thing. And that is because of sin.It wasn’t just the voice of their lover they were hearing. Now, because of sin, it is also the voice of the accuser.
So they chose to defend themselves and hide from God. Grasping for anything they could find to cover their shame, they chose…leaves. Their defense mechanism.
And I am going to venture to say that in many of our lives, we still string together, flimsy disguises, fig leaves, to cover our nakedness. But here is the thing that stood out to me as I reread Genesis.
Their nakedness was never intended to be covered in the first place.
BEING NAKED (VULNERABLE) IS A GOOD THING.
I love the way God responds when Adam and Eve tell him they are naked.
“Who told you that?” (Genesis 3:7-11)
And I think that is what He is saying to a lot of us today. Those who are hiding in the bushes because of their shame. Those walking around thinking “I’m not enough”
I’m a failure. I’m a loser. I am evil. I am unlovable. I am unforgivable. I am weak. I am too much. I am forgotten. I am invisible. I am a burden. I am defined by my sin. I have made too many mistakes. If I walk in the church it will go up in flames. I am not welcome among Christians. I am weird. I am outcast.
And I think once we uncover the truth, it changes everything. That’s not God’s voice telling us those lies. And when we realize what He is saying, (you are loved, forgiven, set free, redeemed, lovable, holy, beautiful, masterpiece) then we don’t need or want those stupid fig leaves anymore. There is no need to defend ourselves or wear a mask.
I think I have used too many words already so I am going to end this blog. hopefully you understand the point I have been trying to make all along. But I challenge you, take a look at your own life and ask yourself what habits/traits/patterns are actually fig leaves. Things you do or think, as a mask to cover something deeper. Maybe they aren’t what you’re expecting. Maybe it’s perfectionism, a career, hours at the gym, money, the hours you serve at your church, the scandalous outfit you wore last week, the striving, the performance. And what are you trying to hide? What are you masking with those fig leaves?
We need to all embrace the strength and the freedom in being naked. In baring our souls and not apologizing for being vulnerable. It is powerful but it is not natural. We live in a fallen world constantly attacking our vulnerability. But we have to do it anyway. When we decide that we are sick of wearing the disguise and we expose our true selves, it sets others free too. The one weekend with Michelle and my friend in Malawi taught me the beauty and necessity of living naked. (Not something I ever thought I would be saying. Hope you read part one). God is saying to us today, “come out from hiding, drop your fig leaves and your masks. I love you exactly as you are.”
