The Promised King: Day Three
Day 3: The Hiding Game
Devotional
After recognizing our rebellion against God, we naturally want to hide. Just like Adam and Eve covered themselves with fig leaves and hid among the trees, we've all become experts at concealing our true selves. We curate our social media, present polished versions of ourselves at work, and even wear masks in our closest relationships. This hiding isn't just about shame—it's about fear. We're afraid that if people really knew us, they would reject us. So we craft carefully constructed images, hoping to earn acceptance and love. But this strategy leaves us feeling more isolated than ever, because the love we receive is for the person we're pretending to be, not for who we really are. The exhausting cycle of hiding and performing affects every relationship we have. We can't truly connect with others when we're constantly managing our image. We can't experience authentic love when we're afraid to be authentic ourselves. The very thing we think will protect us—our hiding—actually prevents us from experiencing the deep connection our hearts crave. But here's the beautiful truth: God sees through all our fig leaves and loves us anyway. He's not shocked by our brokenness or surprised by our failures. In fact, He's been pursuing us in our hiding places since the very beginning, calling out with love, "Where are you?" not because He doesn't know, but because He wants us to come home.
And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day,
and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God
among the trees of the garden. - Genesis 3:8
Reflection Question
What "fig leaves" do you use to hide your true self from others, and how might this be preventing you from experiencing authentic relationships?
“We all hide. We curate. We self-project.
We live behind carefully crafted fig leaves on social media, in our marriage, at work, and even in church.
Sin fractures human relationships.” - Pastor Mike Mura
Prayer
Lord, I'm tired of hiding and pretending. Help me to trust that You love me as I really am, not as I think I should be. Give me courage to be authentic with You and with others. Amen.