Hello. My name is Brittney and I used to dislike my arms so much, I would not don anything other than oversized t-shirts. While we’re at it, I should probably let you know I pretty much disliked every inch of my body. I would wear a shirt and shorts to pool parties. It wasn’t until high school that I started accepting that the body I was given was the only one I would have.

Fast forward a few years—after lots of running and a few fewer bagels—and you would find me at the healthiest weight since middle school. When my friend suggested that one day we visit a nude beach, I laughed a bit; but after some time to think and talk, I agreed—at the time, I wasn’t sure if it was because I wanted to do something spontaneous or because I felt a bit better about myself than in years past.

Regardless, it was decided. We were doing it. Due to its perfect location, two of my friends and I chose Black’s Beach, a popular destination in San Diego for it’s beautiful views and warm water. Oh—and did I mention its lack of rules regarding clothing? Yeah… That, too.

Then, the day came that I would be stripped of my clothes and dive into (literally) the most exposed venture of my life other than birth. The drive from our dorms was not far, but as we got closer, I could feel myself getting increasingly nervous. We pulled up, made our hike down to the beach, and set up camp a good distance from any other people.

Before we did the thing, we discussed the reasons we wanted to do it. I realized then that it was more than just my way of accepting my body for what it was, but it was the first time in my life I appreciated the body God gave me. I had been put down and continued to put this gift down for years.

I could appreciate God in his purest form, while I was in my purest form.

Then, I realized it had nothing to do with the weight I lost or the way I looked. At the end of the day, Jesus still rocked the cross better than any outfit or hairstyle I would wear. 19 years feeling inadequate and worthless was blown out of the water as I jumped headfirst into it.

If you made it to the end of this article, all I ask is that you go. I’m not saying you have to go to a nude beach, but go somewhere. Go somewhere a bit spontaneous and funky. Go somewhere that will push you a bit. Go somewhere God is shining a light.