Shamelessly Naked
Posted on September 21, 2007
Filed Under Deeper Walk |
I think some of the most beautiful words in the Bible are found at the end of Genesis 2 where the author paints the stunning description of humanity during that short pause between creation’s completed wonder and the disastrous Fall: The man and his wife were both naked and they felt no shame. (Gen 2.25)
In an age where our body image is god, where we nip and tuck and incessantly pluck and flex, where even the most gorgeous among us refer to themselves as a “fat pig” (as I saw a sex icon refer to herself on a magazine cover this past weekend), where we are forever judged by Madison Avenue as well as by our own mirror, these words seem impossible. This physical exposure was not only in moments when Adam or Eve were prepared to be naked (and most all of us have varying comfort levels for this), but all the time, at every moment. There was no covering, ever.
The Genesis story, however, obviously speaks of more than physical exposure. The narrative vividly describes human relationships as we have never seen them: wide-open, unreserved, entirely unguarded. In this first sacred couple, love was better than you or I have ever known it. There was never a reason to hide a thought or to silence a voice. There was never reason to wonder if the other person was a safe place to pour out our soul. In our relationships, we must constantly battle the urge to hide, to guard ourselves from the harm we suspect might come our way if another truly saw all the grim, sordid places inside us.
But with Adam and Eve, our first father and mother, their body and their soul were entirely bare, not a stitch of cotton or a speck of emotional distance to hide behind. I fear this shorn, unshrouded life because I can’t imagine someone seeing all my ugly spots and not pulling back in revulsion. Contrasted to our experience, however, in the Garden, there was “no shame.” Perhaps no more beautiful words have ever been spoken. What would a world be like if shame were completely removed from the mix?
I think I’m pondering along these lines because this week is Miska’s and my tenth anniversary. Our marriage is quite imperfect, and we certainly do not know the intimacy and emotional safety Adam and Eve enjoyed. However, we want to. We are hoping and moving that direction. Every one of us needs a friend (a spouse, a father, a sister, a soul friend) who sees who we truly are, who helps us see what Jesus is crafting in us, who speaks against the many shaming voices in our life.
I hope you have one. I hope you find one.
peace / Winn
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4 Responses to “Shamelessly Naked”
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Well, I thought it was insightful…Thanks Winn.
Sam
Congratulations on the 10th anniversary! I’m 23 and as yet unmarried with no plans (or prospects for that matter) to change that in the near future. I know that desire for an open relationship. I think my fear is also the balance, the feeling that some things aren’t beneficial to the other and therefore I don’t want to burden them with my burdens. Maybe not yet knowing a human relationship that intimate I just don’t understand that yet. I know that the Father has often gotten an earful. I’m so glad that though I don’t yet have that kind of human relationship (and may never to that level) that God always allows me to be open, that He knows every bit of me, inside and out, and there is no condemnation in Christ.
Happy Annivarsary! I have been reading your “Deeper Walk” entries for quite some time, and I love your use of language and way of thinking. This article was awesome. People are scared of vulnerability but yet we all have a very strong desire for it. After many failed relationships and tons of surrender, God has blessed me with a man that enhances within me the desire to become what God wants me to be and understands how difficult that desire can be to attain. To those who have found it, hold on tight; to those on the search, it’s totally worth it.
Super-funny to read through this post as John Mayer’s ‘your body is a wonderland’ comes up next on my random playlist.
This is the most brilliant peiece on love and relationships I ever read. Is there any greater way to describe the ideal marriage? I think not.
Thank you for not sounding like every other Christian marriage counselor and self appointed relationship expert.
I will save your link and put it up on my blog when I get married. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Haha!
ps. happy anniversary!