Unprotected

I think oftentimes (TOO often) we live in our own little world.  Our own little bubble.  Our own little shell.
We don't realize what awaits us and what surrounds us -- if we'd only escape and open our eyes to a life that is far beyond our comprehension.

I know I do this. I live in my shell.  It's so easy to slip into my comfort zone and...just stay there.  But I don't think that's what I am called to do.  I am called to live out loud and live uncomfortably.  If I'm not uncomfortable, then in what ways am I growing?

This topic, this harrowing subject, has come up for me many times recently and I know it's being put on my heart for a reason.  I think as I get older, I get less enthusiastic about changes.  But deep down, I know that I need to make myself uncomfortable.  It's super hard.  And I'm not good at it yet.
But I need to live outside my shell.
And that may require change...or that could just require awareness of the moment.  But I do know that it requires me to daily evaluate my life, my choices, my relationships, and my time.  How can I further the Kingdom by furthering each one of those things?  

None of us like evaluation   No one likes to have their underbellies shown, their worst sides revealed -- to others or to themselves.  Who wants to be scrutinized?  Does anyone like to feel vulnerable?

And yet...

Our loving God has already evaluated our situations.  We are not worthy, but he's saved us and called us to live for Him anyway.

Our God knows our "outtakes" and sees the most atrocious things about us.  And He still says, "You're modeled after me...grow with me and grow into what I have to offer.." 

The world scrutinizes, but our God stands by our side and wants us to find our protection only in Him.

Our God calls us to be vulnerable for His name, for His purpose, for His plan.  

When the world gets hard and life gets burdensome, we run back into our shells for comfort and protection.  As invertebrates of the sea, we close out the ocean to its dangers.  But in doing so, we close out the ocean to its wonders.  To its glory.  To its vastness and to its opportunity.  To its purpose.
Within our own shell, we are not growing.
Within our own shell, there can be no daily self-evaluation.

And so, I want to step out.

I want to throw off my shell.  I want to be unprotected and bold.
I want to embrace a full life containing wonders of the Lord's purpose.

One uncomfortable life after another can alter the waves of the sea.  And a place full of empty shells is a beautiful sight to our Creator.

Photo by AN