Everyone needs a “Veil Lifter”
Author: Angela CraigTip of the Day: Everyone needs a “Veil Lifter” in their life.
With the sun shining this past week and a promising forecast, I decided it was time to pull out my summer clothes. My first try was my summer shorts. Too tight to wear. I thought, no matter, I needed new ones anyways. But to my chagrin, when I moved into the “fat options” of summer clothing, none of those fit either!
I ran to my phone and texted my friend whom I knew would be honest with me.
My text read: Just tried on all summer shorts and fat options… #RudeAwakening #NeedFatVeilLifter #NeedTruthteller Pretty sure clothes shrunk on top shelf over the winter!
I could give you all sorts of excuses. I am a full time wife, mom, graduate student, Director, coach, daughter, I am over 40 years old…those things are ALL true. But the bigger truth is, my extra weight this year is contributed to my lack of attention towards my diet and exercise plan not my list of excuses.
I needed someone to tell me the truth so that I could be free of the excuses that were holding me hostage!
I call this someone, a Veil Lifter. Everyone needs a Veil Lifter!
A.W. Tozer wrote, “Self is the opaque veil that hides the Face of God from us.
It can be removed only in spiritual experience, never by mere instruction.”
Self is my excuses, it is my pride, and it is my shame in facing the truth of my failures, my lack, my fears, or my past. It is my biological need to protect my identity and dignity. Self is what ultimately holds me captive and chained to the things that are useless in my life. The world tells us to keep our indiscretions quiet – “No one wants to hear your dirty little secret”, they say.
Scripture teaches a different truth. Acts 11:18 (NLT) As Christ-Followers and leaders we claim it a privilege to repent, confessing our sins to one another (James 5:16) because we know that our repentant hearts lead to freedom, to healing, and to new life! The Bible is clear that the opportunity for repentance and confession are occasions for joy and for thanksgiving because we are promised a new future. (God’s Word is so cool!) Once we have confessed and repented (Repented literally means: Turned the other direction), we no longer wear our sin, guilt, or shame like a badge of honor. Instead, we put on the new life that Christ died on the cross for and walk in grace and beauty.
Here is an example: What would happen if next time my husband and I got in an argument, I looked him in the eyes and said: “It is a privilege for me to repent of wanting to be right!” My husband would probably fall to the floor in laughter. But wouldn’t that be better than engaging in combat with each other?
Who is your Veil Lifter? Who do you have in your life that will ask you the tough questions in confidence, love, and humility of spirit?
As a Veil Lifter here are some questions you can ask your friend:
- Are you struggling with anything right now?
- Are you tempted in any area of your life?
- Do you feel out of balance in any area of your life?
- Do you feel distant from God?
- What can I pray with you about today?