The Uncovering – Sarah Saenz

I heard a friend at church share once about how God sometimes very gently uncovers us and shows us what we’re really like. He does it delicately, not with harsh words or contentious rants. There is no condemnation or blame, just tenderness.  What we often see in ourselves during this “uncovering” can be mortifying. We don’t like it, it’s not how we imagine ourselves. But these uncomfortable moments of exposure bring something unexpected: revelation that leads to repentance. A closer  dependency on the Father.  In short, they produce fruit. 

Our first reaction may often be to recoil or ignore this type of chastisement (mine always is). But truthfully, how can we expect to change or resemble Christ at all, if we don’t ask Him to show us where we need correction? If we don’t welcome it? If our own arrogance forbids us from seeing our faults, how could we ever think we could be like Him on our own? We need His instruction and His say in our lives every day. 

Jeremiah 2:30 talks about how the Lord’s correction is meant to bring insight and a desire to change. “In vain I have punished your people [with the consequences of their disobedience]; They received no insight from correction [and refused to change].” AMP
And in Hebrews 12: 5-6 it says,  “….do not lose heart when He rebukes you. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.”

As a mother, I am used to being the one who corrects. My children do not always like it (ever), but I know it needs to be done. For their good, understanding, maturity, and growth it must be done. I love them.  It is not always easy, I know it often causes a momentary hurt or offense. But if I don’t correct them, who will? 

I believe this is God’s heart for us, as well. He corrects us by systematically uncovering our pride, selfishness, and sin because He loves us. He knows of the momentary discomfort it will cause, but He weighs the cost and knows the fruit will be much greater and the repentance more sweet. He knows what He is creating in us. 

I pray that the Holy Spirit would “uncover” you in His gentle way. I pray that you would welcome correction and allow God to use it to produce fruit in your life. I pray that you would recognize His tenderness and concern for you as His loving heart and not the enemy’s accusations and lies. I pray that when He exposes you to yourself, you would go your Redeemer as Ruth did to her Boaz. That you would prostrate yourself at His feet and let Him cover you, as she did.