We all desire to be known. For people to look at us as we are and accept us for that. We all have parts of ourselves that we are not proud of. Things that we have done which we regret. Dirty parts of our hearts which we conceal and we think to ourselves, “If they knew about this there is no way that they could love me much less still want me.”
But grace sees you the way that you are and it does not look away. I can prove it. The story of the woman at the well, found in John 4, is proof. Jesus told this Samaritan woman about all of the men she had been married to and that the man she was living with at the time was not her husband. He knew her past. He had known before he arrived at the well but still he came and he spoke just to her.
The “church” often casts out people that Jesus would look at, wipe the dust from their face, and tell them they can be free. Why are we shocked by people who are hurting and struggling? God is not surprised. A Christian who is appalled by a sinner is like a doctor who becomes frustrated when he walks into the hospital and sees that there are sick people.
You see shame drives you further from a God who loves you and can change you. A person must come to a point to where they stand before a Holy God bare and exposed and allow him to fix what has been broken. He sees you regardless. You cannot hide from an all-powerful God. To think you can is utter foolishness.
The real question will be if you will choose to follow him. Jesus usually sent people away with a command. He would tell them to, “Go and sin no more.” It is not enough that we allow our sin to be exposed and that we admit what we’ve done but we must also turn from it. We must turn and make a conscious effort to walk away. To walk away from a life that has destroyed us and accept the life of freedom he has given us.
That life takes sacrifice and many, much like the rich young ruler and the crowds, will turn away and follow him no more. (John 6:66; Luke 18:18-23) Which will you be?
