Naked or Really Naked?

Today a friend of mine commented that sometimes when she forgets to wear her watch, she just feels naked. Though riveted by the conversation, I began to ponder that. I've felt that way. Perhaps we all have. We get somewhere for the day only to realize we forgot our watch, or for ladies, perhaps all of our jewelry, something that makes us feel completely put together. And somehow, again maybe just for the ladies, whatever it is we have forgotten is inexplicably linked to our self esteem for the day. Without that item, something just isn't right and somehow our shields are down and we're exposed to the world.

But then I started thinking more. The phrase, "I feel naked" is kind of funny to me. Do we really feel naked if we forget to wear our watch? I think not. I think that if I were standing around the lunch table butt naked in front of my co-workers I would feel a lot different than if I were just watchless. In fact, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't even matter if I was wearing a watch or not. All of my physical insecurities would be out there for all at the lunch table to see, I would be known more than I ever have been, and I'm pretty sure lunch would be over. So I guess there really is a difference between naked and really naked. One is perhaps just a funny way of saying, "I don't feel complete today." The other is totally exposed, the good the bad and the ugly, out there for all to see.

Sometimes I feel like this is how we in the church treat vulnerabiltiy and community. We all long for it, but we don't really know how to have it. And the thought of really being known, though one of our deepest desires, is also our greatest fear. And we're consumed with the thought of "what would they really think if they really knew me?" And so we protect ourselves and either refrain from any vulnerablity or are vulnerable just enough to communicate to others that we don't have it all together, we're slightly naked. And we feel good about that little bit we exposed and the rest that we've managed to keep hidden.

Yet, it seems to me we are called to be fully naked and exposed in true community. How else can the body act like the body to the body if we strive to hide our sins, struggles, insecurities, needs, etc. Holiness and hiding have nothing in common. To learn, grow, love, forgive, and experience Christ in community we must become comfortable with being appropriately "naked" with each other. Yes, that does lead to some uncomfortable moments. But true community is OK with the uncomfortableness.

So maybe a little nakedness around the lunch table is what we need. And the way I see it, if we're all naked, then it's not so awkward if I am too. I guess all this is to say, true community is only found in nudist groups. Figuratively speaking of course.