Sun-Baked Nakedness
Going back to my youthful days, I remember loving the freedom that shedding jackets afforded in the spring so that we could play baseball unencumbered.
When the heat of June, July and August arrived, it was even better. Riding shirtless on my bike to the Green Brook swim club and feeling the alternately warm, hot or cool air was tantamount to a middle-aged dude on a new Harley.
Later, as an adolescent, I passionately embraced every drop of sweat that the summer sun extracted as I baked on the sun deck of the pool and crisped up perfectly so know one could accuse me of having a “farmer’s tan.”
It’s as primal as it gets. It’s Eden’s nakedness. It’s a few Millenia before malls and fashion.
As we grow up, we don’t remember wearing our Sunday Suits as kids and forget it was Eden’s original garb and holy at that.
It’s a lot like our hearts before God. The innocence of a naked life before God can get swept away if we’re not vigilant in our honesty before Him.
The youth of our early relationship with God has something to teach any of us who are getting overheated by the suffocating layers of rationalization, excuse and, well, forgetfulness.
PORTAL TO HEAVEN: Eden’s endless sun went from friend to foe as it demanded the “sweat of Adam’s brow” and scorched his relationship with The Tender of the Garden. May we ever stay naked before Him.
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth [sincerity, integrity]…Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame…Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded…"But I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first!
Psalm 145:18 NIV [Editor’s brackets], Genesis 2:25 NIV, James 4:8 NIV, Revelation 2:4 NLT