A Heart Stripped Bare

Last Sunday night I had a little fun with my sermon title. Some were shocked, others offended maybe, still others very interested; but, 'Getting Naked' was more profound than a simple play on words in a sermon connected with the Garden of Eden! There is no co-incidence that the first son and daughter of God wore not a strip of clothing before Him as they walked unashamed in perfect, blissfull intimacy with Him. The context of what I had to say was to do with how sin (an act of disobdience brought about by a progressively distorted view of God) covers us up and breaks the touch of the 'cool' (breath, wind) of God's Presence from the body of our lives; however, I would like to take it a step further. I would also like to encourage you to take a listen to the message from this last Sunday night - there's something in it for sure. It's called 'Getting Naked'!
There is a growing cry amongst us as a family of faith for more of the reality of God's intimate Presence and Power. For myself, this yearning has been growing steadily for the last year or so and it grows still more. As He is wooing me deeper I have found something happening again. I have seen it a few times in my walking with Father, but not to this degree. I find that He is stripping me bare - stripping me of all compensating longings and life crutches that seek to take the place of the one and only satisfaction, Him alone! He's 'getting me naked'! He is highlighting garments that I've allowed upon myself but that will hinder His intimate touch. Garments of religious theory, tradition, facades, cheap talk, etc! I realise He wants me, as I am! Gee, it's radical and exposing, but it is beautiful. He doesn't withhold Himslef from me and He is now asking me to do likewise. I shouldn't have expected anything less.
I see Him doing it with many around me and many around the world and it is soooo exciting, because when we get Him we get everything and a dying world will come to us, not for religious ritual, but rather for the life He has released to us in intimacy. Unveiled intimacy is the key that unlocks all kingdom power - the world needs this life-changing power, and we need this bare-naked intimacy!
My call to myself and others is 'do not resist His unraveling of you'!! And do not be shocked when it happens - it is God. Like He did to Lazarus, let Him do it again. Afterall, He has brought us back to the treasure of the Garden of Eden in Christ and He wants to rid us of the unneccessary apparell of the heart!
More of You Lord our satisfaction, in me and in us all for the sake of our inheritance - First You and then the lost!!!

Blessings as I go on Holiday,
Ryan