Hebrews 4:13 says, “There is not one person who can hide their thoughts from God, for nothing that we do remains a secret, and nothing created is concealed, but everything is exposed and ; defenseless before his eyes, to whom we must render an account.”

Without context, this scripture feels more like a warning but when I think about what Jesus did for me, it sounds different.

My innocence was purchased at the cross, so I am exposed and defenseless against the one who has already declared my innocence. There is no safer place to be completely naked with all my flaws and shortcomings. I'm blameless here. I'm righteous here. So in this place, the Holy Spirit's scrutiny doesn't feel like torment or punishment. It feels like love.

In this exposed place, I can be stripped down and then built up to look like Jesus. In this place, it's a privilege to be corrected by the Holy Spirit. He's a good teacher and I have completely unrestricted access to Him.

My prayer for everyone reading this is that if you have looked in the mirror lately and not quite felt good enough, that you would accept this invitation to spend time with the Holy Spirit and experience him as the loving teacher he is.

I pray that you would exchange any shame and feelings of defeat for understanding of the righteousness that you've inherited as a son/daughter of God.

I pray that any voices that have counted you out, whether they were outside voices or a harsh inner critic, would be silenced by the voice of the one who knows you better than you know yourself and has decided that you are valuable.

Spend some time praying and allowing yourself to be exposed to the God who loves you more than you could ever understand.