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Isaiah 20:2- At that time the Lord spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and loose the sackcloth from your waist and take off your sandals from your feet,” and he did so, walking naked and barefoot.

In this passage God sends Isaiah to give a warning to Israel.  In addition to using words, God instructs Isaiah to do something more.  God instructs him to walk naked and barefoot for three years!   Certainly, Isaiah felt uncomfortable about what he was being called to do, but remained obedient.  The message, Isaiah was delivering far outweighed the embarrassment of being uncovered.

Sometimes when we feel the prompting of God’s Spirit to share how Jesus has changed our lives we may feel uncomfortable with what God is asking us to do.  We may feel embarrassed or ashamed to “expose” our past to others for fear that we may be ridiculed or rejected if people knew what we would rather keep hidden. 

We all have parts of our lives we are ashamed of, ways of life that we have turned from because of what Jesus has done in us.  It’s been said everyone has a story of their faith journey, and that every story is part of God’s story.  God’s story is not meant to remain hidden, but shared.  When we share our past with others in the light of how Jesus transformed us, we share with them the truth that God loves us as we are, but does not want us to remain in the shame of our past.  It is through Jesus that we are forgiven and set free!

Ponderings for reflection …

*What in my life has changed because of Jesus?

*Have I ever shared that with anybody?

*With whom can I share the story of how Jesus changed me?  (If you feel uncomfortable, share with a pastor or another trusted Christian.)