In Exodus 2:12, Moses hid the body of the slain Egyptian. It was exposed and in the papers the very next day. Hiding is wrong and I am convinced that from that moment on Moses was transparent. He did not hide again. He would speak his heart regardless of the vulnerability.
How can I relate to this? Oh, wow, many ways. For years, I led a "hidden" life and what turmoil and disappointment that brings. It helps you to run to things that will never satisfy. It creates and stirs longings that will never be fulfilled. God's Word tells us that what happens in the darkness HE will bring to light. Well, He definitely did this for me, maybe not in the way I would have chosen but I can say today with ALL certainty that HIS way was good and it was right. I am grateful for the enormous blessing of living in the light and out of darkness.
Living a life of transparency gives such a freedom. I believe this is exactly what we are created to be : FREE!! Free from condemnation, free from guilt, free from burdens and free from yokes of slavery. In 1 Cor. 3:17, the Word tells us that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!! May we all be so full of HIS Spirit that we all dance a freedom dance today.
The Lord walked a very transparent life. His life should set the example of how we live out ours. He had no hidden agendas, no manipulative techniques, no underlying motives.
(ref. Chuck Swindoll) Ever been to a testimony where everyone was on Cloud 39 and you were in the Tunnel #7? People talk about soaring in the heavenlies yet you are still counting gum wrappers in the gutter? Why not hand the microphone around to people and ask, "When is the last time you took a nosedive?" "Can you share a time of great disappointment in your life?"
Stay with me here: I am far from being a negative person but I am a relational person....Can you relate to me in times of failures? In times of need? In times of hurt? In times of disappointment?
I think it would be a great encouragement to others to show how we have come through disappointments, failures, hurts, how others help to provide in our times of need. Peter did this in his letters to us. So many times in our lives, we feel like we are all alone in our struggles. That is far, far from truth. We feel like we have to hide our failures because we feel like no one could have failed as tragically as we have. Some are even afraid to tell God in fear that He would be put off by us.
Oh, friends and loved ones, He is not like that at all. He has 'inclined His ear' to hear our cries and wants us to pour out our hearts to Him. He awaits your heart. He wants you to rid yourself of shame and distress. His burden is light; yours can be also. Just as we cry out and tell Him how we have failed, His arm is outstretched to lovingly put around us with His love and forgiveness; He waits....Are you willing to give it all to Him? He accepts you as you are. There is no sweeter place of freedom to be than in the arms of the Father.
Lord, I pray for all who read this today that You would extend Your Hand of deliverance to all who need You as their Savior. I pray for hurting, wounded, disappointed people; that You would woo them to You. I ask for favor on Your people and those who have a gift to help those in need. Extend Your mercy to ones who cry to You with shame, guilt, failures; set them free in YOU. Lord, thank You for your tender mercies and sweet love in my life. Let me always be willing to share the hope I have in You and how You are my Healer and Redeemer. In Jesus name.....
