Every day I take the time to read a bit from the Bible. Some days I only manage a few verses, others I’ll do a whole chapter, but either way I try to weave it into my daily routine. As I read, I write out every verse in my journal and take notes about its content, to help me digest the ancient and holy words. It’s the first book I remember wanting as a child and wherever I have gone, my Bible has traveled too. It’s a beautiful and confronting book, and if you really take on its words it’s also a life-changing one.
I was reading it this week when the word unashamed jumped out at me. It was in the context of Jesus talking to his disciples about what it meant to truly follow him. He was a pretty straight-talking guy, our Jesus, he didn’t beat around the bush or dance around a topic before saying what he really thought about a matter. He was honest. And he was so honest because he truly loved the people he was talking to.
It got me thinking: “Am I that honest with the people I love? Do I live unashamed of the truth?”
To be real, I think the answer is ‘no’ sometimes. I realized, as I mulled over what it means to be unashamed, that I often choose the safe, non-confrontational route. The one where I’m confident I’ll still have all of the friends after speaking up, posting on social media, or writing a blog.
unashamed
[uhn-uh-sheymd]
adjective
not ashamed; not restrained by embarrassment
open; unconcealed; unabashed
free! (Joy’s definition)
I think life is too short to spend any of it being ashamed or embarrassed of who we are or what we believe. I think we were created to be free. I don’t mean forcing our opinions or beliefs on anybody else, but I mean lovingly sharing what we really think and feel. I mean being more concerned with the truth than with how many followers we have or likes we receive. The truth isn’t always popular, but it is always the best option.
I’m that girl who truly wants world peace and if I was stood in a beauty pageant I wouldn’t have a problem giving that as my answer. But sometimes in our efforts to keep the peace we end up deceiving ourselves and others. What I mean by that is that we can give fake responses, put a smile on our face, and say, “I love you, it’s ok, don’t worry about it.” When the truth is that it might not be ok, there are issues that need to be dealt with, and actions that need to be confronted. I think we need to be the ones who make peace rather than just trying to keep it. Creating often means confronting.
What I’m trying to say is that I want to be honest with you. I know I can be vulnerable. I believe I live an authentic life, but I also want to step into the arena of truth with you and be ok with speaking up. I don’t want to hide my beliefs in case they look different to your’s, I want to be real with you and say, “hey, I disagree and here’s why, but I love you and I'm not going anywhere.” I want to be unashamed of what I believe to be true. Not my truth, but the truth. So, I’m letting you in and holding myself accountable to a standard I hope you’ll share with me, because I got hit with a little holy conviction this week and I’m not ok with staying the same!
I don’t want to get to the end of my life and realise I didn’t say anything of any eternal value.
So, this is my public declaration to choose freedom over fear, to choose honesty over shame, to walk in love and to speak the truth, to raise that standard a little higher and welcome you to rise up with it, because it just ain’t worth living any other way.
