This post may be a bit of a reach, but I think it definitely has potential to make a great point.
For the last 6 or 7 seven years, I have not worn a single pair or shorts and that’s no exaggeration. Ask anyone who knows me, bet is they have never witnessed me in a pair of shorts. Why? I don’t know. Maybe I thought my legs were too skinny, or that people would make fun of me because I have a huge scar on my ankle from my days playing soccer.
Regardless of the reason, pants have been my attire of choice for a good portion of my life.
I know what you’re thinking.
- “Jarrid, that’s stupid.”
And believe me, I know. I’m not disagreeing with you. But we’ve all got our own share of stupid insecurities right?
After much though and consideration, today was the day I decided to throw on a pair of shorts. Well, they’re a pair of cut off jeans that I turned into shorts. Why did I decided today be the day? I don’t know to be honest. I just thought, sure why not.
After putting on my pair of freshly cut jean-short things, I realized something extremely embarrassing.
“Look how white my legs are!”
I couldn’t believe how white my legs were. It literally looks like 1/2 my body is albino, or in need of pigmentation. I took the photo above just to show you how white they are compared to my boots and the carpet I am standing on.
I realized that the lack of exposure made my legs white and pale. My legs have no color in them compared to the rest of my body. All because I decided to cover them up, and not expose them to the world around me.
My Question: How many of us are doing the same thing with our relationship with God?
We pick and choose which bible topics we want to study and expose ourselves to, and when we begin to start feeling a little insecure or convicted, we immediately cover up the parts of our lives we don’t want others to see.
We cannot go about our lives in hiding, and running away from the exposure of The Gospel. Why? because one day you’ll realize how pale and faded those parts of your life are. And believe me, it’s not what you want.
Jesus died on a cross to cover your life in Grace, Love, and Hope. He came not only to change the life that surrounds you, but to transform the heart within you.
Romans 12:1 – Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.
The first step in finding transformation is exposing that which you keep from exposure.
Don’t expect to lead unless you’ve first learned to expose.
Are there things you are keeping from exposure? Leave a comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
- Jarrid Wilson
One of the things I don’t like to expose is my attitude and ways with money. I started exposing/talking about it during my pre-marriage counseling sessions and it has helped me a lot. Jesus is showing me scripture and surrounding me with people to guide me with new thoughts about money.
Thank you for your posts, Jared!
The day you start exposing is the day God can start transforming. I am praying for you!
I have been wanting to lead those in my youth group to be more bold in the walls of our highschool and in our town, I can claim that iam doing this but i now think i am only showing some people at youth and at school what i want them to see. I do not need to feel ashamed of my testimony or who Iam.
I graduate in a month and iam saying Grace for my grad ceremony, i wanna pray for boldness to give these students what they need to hear and hopefully I can see some of my peers want to know why i love God so much
i hope this mini rant made sense
iam so excited to see what God uses me for
:) thanks for sharing this :)
God Bless
Amen. Let’s be bold in all of our actions! All for His cause. #jesus
Oh Jarrid!
I too cover up my legs, but not because they are too skinny :)
I really like how you tied this in with our relationship with Christ. I am dealing with some past demons in the self image department and this post could not have been more timely for me.
The discoveries that I am making about myself, quite frankly, are rather surprising. All this time I thought I knew myself pretty well. It appears I have a lot more to learn. Only instead of looking through my lens, God is inviting me to look through his… and it’s scary… in a good way.
Thank you, friend.
Appreciate your Honesty Joy! I’m the same way ha-ha. It’s time for us to be open and transparent. :)