You Wanna Get Naked?

Transparency, or being figuratively naked, is an important part of our faith walk. God already knows who we are. There’s no hiding from the eyes of God. However, how often are we honest with God about our desires? How often are we honest with ourselves? Standing strong, without wavering, is an important part of receiving the things we want the most out of life. But, how does one expect God to bless something you aren’t certain you would like to have?

For example:

·       Is it possible for one to pray to receive a promotion on their job, yet continuously complain about working there?

·       How productive can it be to tell yourself, and the people around you, that you don’t care about becoming a mother, when this is truly your heart’s desire?

·       How does one desire to complete a degree program without taking the necessary steps to enroll?

The NIV translation of Romans 4:18-22 says, “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”

            God wishes to grant us the desires of our heart, (Psalm 37:4). However, we when go before Him, clothed in self-righteousness, ego, fear, and pride, we cannot receive these things from Him. For many years I wanted to become a mother. When I was 18-years-old, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, which would make getting pregnant extremely difficult. So, when people would ask when I would start having children I would tell them I wasn’t certain I wanted to have any, or, “I’m enjoying the baby-free life”. In truth, it crushed my heart every time I received a negative pregnancy test.

            The story of Peter wanting to walk on water changed my view about how I stood on the things I desired the most in my life. Peter asked Jesus to let him come out on the water with Him. Jesus replied, “Come.” Peter began to walk out onto the water, but when he saw the wind, he became afraid, and began to sink. Jesus caught his hand and said, “You of little faith. Why did you doubt?” (Paraphrased from Matthew 14:28-31 NIV). I realized that when we take our eyes off of our goal we begin to pay attention to the things around us that we deem are “scary”, and we begin to waver and sink.

            So I got naked. I disrobed myself of fear and doubt. I became honest with myself, God, and others. When people asked, “when are you going to have a baby?”, I would respond, “In God’s perfect time”, or, “If God wills, I will have one when it is time.” I no longer wanted to appear shaky and uncertain before the Lord. I began to pray God’s perfect Will for my life, and trusted that if it were meant for me to be a mother, it would happen. I gave birth to my baby boy, Myles Prince, in January 2013.

            The Bible says, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26 NIV). It is very important that we take the necessary steps to see the manifestation of the desires of heart. The desires of our heart are usually things that we cannot see how they are going to happen, but we just believe are going to happen. These things require both our effort and our faith. Get naked. Rid yourself of the untruths you've been telling yourself and others. Stand in a mirror and tell yourself what you KNOW you want to see happen in your life. Then go before the Lord and tell Him. Take any steps necessary- put in the job application, start going to the gym, reach out to potential investors-and trust God to do the rest.

            Until you get naked you are not going to begin to see your Truth manifest. Do the work, stand firm, and have faith.

Peace.