Naked and Unashamed

A new year is upon us and with that comes the task of reading through the one year Bible. As with the start of all things comes the beginning. Hence, we start off in the book of Genesis with Creation Story. It is in chapter 2 of Genesis that God brings Eve to Adam. No doubt this was a spectacular moment for Adam..."This one is bone of my bone, and flesh from my flesh!"

In Genesis 2:25 it states, "Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame." What a statement. Both...naked....and unashamed. Many of us search our entire lives looking for a place where we can be naked ( in all senses of the word) and unashamed. We look for a place of safety, a place of commonality, a place of rest. We look for that place where we are known intimately in all of our strengths, weaknesses, faults, dreams, fears, hopes,potential, and shortcomings. This place is not found in a location, but in a person.

Adam and Eve found their place in each other. Adam had seen all of God's creation paired with a mate equal to themselves. He stood there as they were presented before him naming and observing them...."But still there was no helper just right for him." Adam noticed that something was missing from his life. He took notice that there was no one, no "helper" just right for him. He could not share with the animals of the earth, the birds of the sky, nor the fish of the sea. He needed someone-just right for him.

God took notice too. Certainly, if God chose he could have sustained Adam for all of his days in all ways. But God did not design man to function that way. He designed us with a need for relationship. We need people. We need each other. We need a place where we can be naked and unashamed.

There is a certain type of freedom that is experienced when you find yourself in a safe place with a person with whom you can bear your soul. Someone that knows your heart and your thoughts, and still loves and supports you. There is liberty when you know that a person has your best interest at heart despite the circumstances. There is peace when you know you are safe.

Finding this person in your life can be difficult. Many have given up and have resigned to a relationship with Jesus and Him alone. Many church leaders promote such relationships as they often preach about how many people you need to drop to "make it." We pretend that we are satisfied with our lonely existence (I don't care how spiritual you say you are without people in your life you will be lonely). Think about this. Adam walked in the Garden with the Lord. Yet, not only did Adam take notice of his need for a "helper" so did God.

First,let us start by being the type of person that is safe for others. Let us rejoice with those who rejoice and grieve with those that grieve. Let us be people of love and charity. Let us fight against the temptation to spread malice and be people of confidentiality by allowing those in need of confession to be set free without the weight of their sin being made public to all.

Second, let us remain sensitive to who God is bringing in our lives. The Bible says that God brought Eve to Adam. Be patient in your search for that safe person. Don't be too quick to bear your soul. Yet, be watchful and wait to see who God has paired you with.

Third and finally, stay busy at what God has called you to do. Adam was faithfully working at his assigned post when all this took place. Working did not distract Adam from noticing his desire and need for someone in his life. You too will still feel that void even if you are doing what God has called you to. However, you are more likely to find someone that is in line with what God has called you to when you are doing what God wants you to do.

Stay hopeful for that safe place in this new year. God has made us for relationship and intimacy. He made us to be in a place where we can be naked and feel no shame.