Layers

Today, January 30, 2007 My thoughts are the daily devotional for the Upper Room. I am posting them here to share them with you too.

If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

When I go walking in winter, I wear layers of clothing. Starting out I am bundled, muffled, and gloved. As my body warms up, I adjust my garments. I loosen my scarf, then unwind it completely. I take off my gloves, then put them in my pocket. I unzip my jacket. I take off my hat. I'm prepared for cold mornings, but it's a nuisance to carry all my stuff while I'm walking.

I carry other layers as well - spiritual layers. I am wrapped in faith, padded by love, and adorned with creativity. I am bound by pride, tied with resentment, and constricted by anger and envy. Some of these layers should go. If only it were as easy to slip off my pride as it is to take off my gloves!

The release I felt today freeing my body from extra clothes is like the release my soul craves from my sin and all that weighs me down. I have already been given the permission, the forgiveness, to toss all these weights aside and walk free. Christ Jesus gave me that freedom when he died for me. I am the one still hauling ugly burdens. I have to be willing to remove the layers. I have to loosen my grip and let them go. And I want to do that; I want to walk free.

Posted 1/30/2007 @ 3:44 PM | Weekly Thoughts