Respond: Living in perfect unity starts with us allowing our vulnerable selves to be exposed. For some of us, this can feel threatening because we have shame or fear lingering over us, creating an invisible wall that we stay hidden behind. Can you identify any shame or fear that keeps you hidden? One time when speaking at a women’s retreat, I asked that question. Then, I asked the women (if they felt comfortable) to write their answers on 3” x 5” black notecards. They tacked the notecards to the wall, as if they were nailing it to the cross of Jesus. There were about 400 women in attendance so there was enough anonymity to leave the cards on the wall all weekend. The women loved going around the room between sessions reading what others wrote. It made them feel connected and unified because so many shared similar responses. Maybe you can identify with some of the fear and shame they were experiencing: e.g., twice divorced; fear of rejection; abuse; abortion; lying; self-hatred; cutting; infertility; molested; affair; drinking again; my kids are a mess; pornography; living with my boyfriend; fired from my job. These are not light-hearted struggles, fears or shame; they usually aren’t. They are very real and painful. We spent time praying for one another as God began to lift the veils of shame and fear that were keeping people trapped and feeling alone. Many told me as they began to remove the veil of their shame or fear, they could begin to be their authentic, vulnerable selves. This is how we move towards perfect unity.
Maybe today you want to allow your more vulnerable self to show up with others so you can move toward perfect unity in relationships. You no longer have to hide behind the veil of guilt or shame. Talk to God about it. That’s what He wants you to do. We see it in Isaiah 1:18, “The Lord says, ‘Come, let us talk about these things. Though your sins are like scarlet, they can be as white as snow. Though your sins are deep red, they can be white like wool.” You see, Jesus already paid the price for sin. He is saying to you, “Come to me and let’s talk about it so you can receive forgiveness and be set free.” For those of you who carry shame because of something that happened to you, my heart hurts for you. You can also walk in this freedom of letting go of the veil of shame and it turning from red or black to white as snow. Jesus wants to talk with you about it and comfort your pain. His shed blood on the cross was for your wholeness and healing. He loves you and will bring you peace. Healing and being vulnerable in perfect unity, takes time and is a process. If you don’t have a life group or person you can trust or talk to, you may want to seek out a professional Christian therapist to help you on the road to being your vulnerable self.
