Bare for All to See
(Reflection - January 2000)
The changing seasons and their impact on nature is fascinating and beautiful. This time of the year we are allowed the pleasure of seeing the armature of trees. All summer they were hidden under a canopy of foliage and they looked much alike. As the dogs and I walk the path through the woods, I can see the shapes and textures that are bared to view. Each tree has a different story to tell. Now their true character is exposed to all. That one had a limb torn off in the last windstorm; that one is split down the middle, exposing an ugly rotted center; the one over there is perfect in form, well balanced and strong. I can see the ones with weak branches and ragged scars, also the soaring, powerful limbs of sturdy, healthy trees.
Someday, we will also stand exposed without anything to camouflage our true character. We won’t be able to hide behind fancy clothes or feigned attitudes or any of the daily masks that we often present to the world around us. It will just be us, standing bare before our judge with our inner selves exposed.
We need to look beneath our outward covering and take inventory of what lies beneath and work to become as perfect as we can, before it is laid bare for the judgment seat.
"And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do" (Heb. 3:14).
Annette Haltom