Our inclination is to show our Lord only what we feel comfortable with. But the more we dare to reveal our whole trembling self to him, the more we will be able to sense that his love, which is perfect love, casts out all our fears.

– Henri Nouwen

In the theatre, I have seen some marvelous sets -the kind that made the audience gasp, once when the curtains opened and the lights went up, and twice when the scrim rose later.  As one who stood nervously trembling in the wings, waiting for my cue, I know what the other side looks like. It was dramatically different from what the audience saw. But often, for the actors and crew, the backstage camaraderie could be the best part of a production.

There are parts of ourselves we have learned to keep in the dark. (Well some of us have. What is it with boys and bodily function humour?)

God is not shocked by our imperfections and half-formed concepts, nor is He fooled by smoke and mirrors.

In His presence, unashamed, without make-up and costumes. That’s where we know we are truly loved.