Close-up

Day Four - Being close-up is somewhat intimidating. Flaws and imperfections become visible. The wrinkles and lines are clearly seen. The things that we would like to hide or cover-up are there for everyone to view. This is why make-up is a huge seller! This is also why people keep a certain amount of distance in relationships as well. Being close-up can be hard. When people are allowed close-up they see the real you. The one that is sometimes lazy. The one that lets the odd bad word fly. The one that eats too much and watches questionable things on TV. The one that doesn't always filter what comes out of their mouths. The one that gets depressed and stays in their pj's all day long. The one that yells at their kids in anger. The one that loses patience over little things. The one that let's days and weeks pass without pursuing their dreams. The one that is proud. The one that is arrogant. The one that is opinionated and rude. The one that is nit-picky. The one that is fearful. The one that is jealous. The one that is lack-lustre. The one that is ignorant. The one that is judgemental. The one that is prejudiced. These are the things that we don't want others to see, so we hide. We cover-up. We don't let people close because we are afraid that if someone sees who we really are, we will be judged and then dropped like a hot potato.

There's a verse in the Bible that says this.... perfect love drives out fear. (1 John 4:18) There's another one that says this....love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8) If and when we let people close and we let these people love us deeply and honestly, we don't need to be afraid. If it's real love, we don't have to hide. If it's real love, our flaws as well as all the beauty in us is plain to see and we are truly accepted. If it's real love, we are offered grace and a chance to learn and change in the face of our obvious lack. If it's real love, we can be real. If it's real love, there is freedom. If it's real love, there's a chance that we have been hiding for nothing.