Uncovered

Reclaiming innocence in a shame culture, with the best teachers!

Visiting Syrian women in their homes I have learned quite a lot of culture and social norms and expectations. One thing I've recently taken more notice of is how women, when they hear a male relative at the door (someone who is not their husband), will rush to put their covering back on. I also participate in this ritual to a degree by straightening my clothing, making sure I am sitting properly, and the like.

The other day walking down the street from the produce market it suddenly struck me how very old of a lie shame is; I currently live in the region of the world where the fall from innocence and joyful, unbroken relationship occurred. Whilst we in the west judge eastern cultures for covering, we do the same thing in western culture just in a different way: hiding. Hiding from God, hiding from others, out of shame or fear. I am guilty of this. We don't know we do it. We think it protects us, but it only ends up hindering relationship with God and others.

It is so deeply entrenched that our only hope of deliverance is to walk as He did, coming naked and vulnerable as He did, exposing the lie of shame for what it is and entered into the freedom He purchased. It's time to open up and let the Light in so that it can transform us, our families, our neighborhoods, and nations. He has already torn the veil, let's not put it back on.