Unveiled

The Sundays of my childhood were always spent in church. I was taught about God and always believed there was a God. I assumed I was Christian based on these things. I spent the first 14 years of my adult life not attending church. It wasn’t until my sense of security, identity, and hope were shaken that I thought of returning. I was scared and didn’t know where to turn. My knowledge and memory of church drew me back in desperation for direction and guidance. I am very grateful that my parents took me to church throughout my childhood, that seeds were planted. 

The first months of attending services felt like listening to a motivational speaker, to inspire me to be a better person during the week ahead and a good perspective shift to challenge the way I thought. I would intentionally arrive 10-15 minutes late because worship made me uncomfortable and I was only interested in hearing a good message. 

My circumstances weren’t changing. My anxiety about the future was at an all time high. The person I was portraying to the world didn’t match my inner self. I was battling shame, confusion, denial, resentment, discontent, temptation, and emptiness.  

The church did a series called The Life Change Initiative. It was 40 days of prayer, reading the Bible, and journaling. They gave out journals for it with the assignment of reading a specific chapter of the Bible Monday through Friday, using the S.O.A.P. method (scripture, observation, application, prayer).  

This was the first time in my life I prayed and read the Bible. The accountability, structure, and simplicity of this tool made it easier for me to do. Often at the end of service the pastor would lead us in a prayer of salvation. One Sunday in particular he ended with:

“God, I can’t do it on my own anymore and Jesus I need you to be my Savior, and bring forgiveness. I need you to be my Lord and bring purpose to my life. I don’t want to live my life for things that don’t matter, I need meaning and purpose and so I surrender to you. I need you to forgive my sins, I can’t carry the weight of guilt and shame anymore. Jesus, I ask you to be my Lord, give my life purpose and meaning. I give my life to you.” 

~  ~  ~

I had heard this invitation over and over. But this particular Sunday, as I was closing my eyes, really focusing on what he was saying, I realized I had never actually said these words and truly meant them. So I did it, and I raised my hand.  

I remember feeling uncertain, like did I do it right? Was I really being genuine? Because of my doubt, I would say it again and again at the subsequent services over the next couple months. I wanted to mean it. How do you know if you’re being honest with yourself or deceiving yourself? 

Some people have this very clear moment when they were saved. Mine wasn’t that way; it was more of a gradual shift, like I would put one toe in the water at a time until I was eventually both feet in.  But wow. Once I was in, the change came, what felt like rapidly. To the point where I couldn’t recognize myself anymore-in a good way.  Like 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come.” God changed my heart, and everything springs from the heart.  

“I will give them another heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. From their bodies I will remove the hearts of stone, and give them hearts of flesh that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.”
Ezekiel 11:19-20 

Once our faces are unveiled, we are being transformed into Christ’s image “one degree” at a time. That is what it is like when you experience salvation, this spiritual blindness or foggy haze is lifted and you see things completely different, clear and new.  

In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul tells us that only through Christ is the veil taken away. When a person turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. When we accept Christ in our hearts, that is when we receive the free gift of the Holy Spirit and “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (v.17)

The freedom from shame, guilt, fear, anxiety, temptation, emptiness I was desiring-was found. We can’t battle the flesh, our sinful nature, without the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us. We don’t have to change ourselves. Once we have His Spirit within us we “are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (v.18).  

The transformation comes from the Lord, not from us. Yes, we need to participate. Like Ephesians 5:15 says, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise.” In order to live wisely we need to read the Word and make decisions that are in alignment with Jesus’ character, but it become easier to do all of this the more you allow Him into your heart and surrender. Every morning, I need to surrender control, surrender my way of thinking and pray, asking Him to renew my thoughts and to give me the desires of His heart.  

I’m curious if you have ever had an experience like this? I’d love to hear about it if you’re willing to share it with us.  

As I reflect on my wedding day and this photo of me as a bride, preparing myself to be presented to my groom, I’m reminded of how God, in His Word, uses bride and groom as imagery in many Bible verses. The Church is the bride of Christ, and Jesus is the groom. With the romantic scene set, Christ’s sacrifices Himself to save His Bride and is resurrected from the dead three days later so that nothing can separate them, not even sin. Now that is true selfless love!

The Church is not a building. The Church is the people. We, the believers, are the Church. We prepare ourselves to be pure beauty before the groom, Jesus Christ. Yet it is what Christ has done for us on the cross that makes us pure, white, and clean from all sin.   

“For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the Bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.”
Isaiah 62:5

“Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, These are the true words of God.” 
Revelation 19:7-9 

We are all invited to the wedding. Let’s say “I do.”

Jesus is waiting at the altar. Here comes the bride!