Scaly Skin

Scripture: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Hebrews 12:1

Did you realize that all animals, at regular intervals shed their skin? Humans do it less obviously than say snakes who get rid of their skin in one large piece. Humans actually get a new skin surface about every 28 days or so. There are other species like crabs for instance that move out of their shells and find bigger shells as they grow. Humans do that too, but we call that shopping for a more comfortable size. Ha! Ha!

My sister forwarded these pictures to me that her brother-in-law made. Photos courtesy of Bobby Burch.

Here is this scaly reptile lying in one of the loveliest and softest of God’s creation. What a stark contrast. It struck me in such a way that I had to explore the very idea of this contrast.

I discovered that animals get really grumpy prior to shedding their skin. They will also stop eating as well. The lizard will actually rub itself up against a rock to free itself of its skin or soak in water to help the process along. I also found that there are problem sheds that can cause serious threats to the animal. If the old skin remains then the blood supply can be cut off to that toe or tail and cause it to become deformed or even die!

O my, now the contrast is even more defined as we look at our hearts and lives as humans. The scripture from Romans suggests that we must shed those sins that encumber or entangle us. Let’s view them as skins. They restrict us from growing in Christ. That unconfessed sin is keeping us from growing. Unless we break free of it then we are stuck in the old skin.

When I examined the photos above I thought to myself the lizard seems so relaxed and comfortable. He is unaware of how funny he looks and stands out among the lovely red rose. This must surely be the way we look in the palm of God’s hand. We rest comfortably there and then he asks us to shed that sin, so that we look more like him and we want to wiggle out of that safe place. However if we choose to escape the discomfort of growth we stay trapped in the old skin.

There is no way we can grow in Christ and stay the same! Like this lizard we are only a reptile among roses if we do not conform to God’s will for our lives. Perhaps you are stuck in an old skin. There even may be something in your life that is rubbing you the wrong way to try and free you. Seek God this week about those things that have you entangled. Shed your old skin and step into a new life looking more like a flower in God’s garden. Ask yourself, is this how I look in the palm of God’s hand?

Leslie Stephens
Winchester, TN

Prayer: Great Creator, I know you designed me in your image. Help me to shed those things that make me less like you, so that I can step into the skin of Christ. Amen

Prayer Tip: Without daily repentance, we may find ourselves comfortable in our sin.