The WORD: “But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.” ~ Matthew 10:26
Revealing secrets can be both liberating and frightening, all at the same time. When we keep secrets deep within us that are dark and dangerous, they will eventually seep to the surface. How we deal with our secrets will determine the story that will be written in the book of our life. It will determine our legacy.
Please take a moment and read the verse again. It doesn’t say “some” that is secret. It says ALL that is secret. So what do we do with the secrets that are gnawing at us? Where do we go when our heart longs to cry out to God? Perhaps it’s time to consider a self-imposed time-out…a time to get alone in our secret place with God.
In our secret place we can apply three things that will be a catalyst for a heart change. Today we will consider the first of three:
AUTHENTICITY. Authenticity means getting into our secret place with Papa God and crying out to him with heartfelt confession. It means becoming REAL, open and honest about the junk that we have carried for so long. Like the prodigal son coming home to his father, we need to confess with our mouths, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your daughter (son). Forgive me for my foolishness.”
So why is it important to speak our words of confession, rather than just think them? Consider this: Why did Adam and Eve hide? Why did God call out to them? It wasn’t because He didn’t know where they were. Adam and Even hid because they were ashamed. God’s calling out to them was an expression of His tender love and compassion. His voice expressed his longing for them to return. He wooed them back and gave them an opportunity to turn back…to surrender…to confess. He gave them an opportunity to speak – to become authentic.
It’s easy for us to justify why we did what we did, or perhaps even what we are still doing in the flesh. Truth be told, sin is pleasurable, it feels good…it brings instant gratification. But in the end, the ugly results are devastating…we crash and burn, and the guilt and shame engulf our minds and our hearts.
It’s time to stop the cycle of poor choices. It’s time to look in the mirror and examine our lives. Own up to the mess(es) we’ve made. It’s time to lay all of our junk at the foot of the cross and allow Jesus to begin washing away our filthy, stinking mess. For some of us, He may have to use a Holy Spirit-filled scouring pad! Be prepared…it may hurt a little. (I’ve been there. Believe me…I know). After all, the grime and filth has been caked on for much too long. But know this – when He is done with round one…oh how refreshing! God will peel back the layers of our sin and will cleanse our minds and hearts! He will clothe us with His robe of righteousness and He will introduce us to a brand new day…a new direction…hand in hand with His Son Jesus.
“Take words of repentance with you and return to the Lord. Say to Him; ‘Forgive all our sin and accept what is good, so that we may repay You with praise from our lips.’” ~Hosea 14:2
Today is a brand new day – a day to enter into our secret place with Papa God. A day to allow His Word to fill our minds and our hearts. Let today be a day to practice authenticity.
“Papa God, please give us the courage to step into our secret place with You. Massage our hearts and reveal to us the sins that may be hindering our walk with You. Allow us to sense Your presence and to find our place on Your lap, under Your loving arms. Thank You for loving us the way do, for calling us by name and for wooing us out of the dark places we wondered into. Thank You for never giving up on us, for loving us with an unconditional, fierce, eternal, sacred kind of love. In Jesus’ name we pray…Amen.”
In His Strong Love,
Rose
Rod & Rose 