Brave Intimacy

Some may be wondering (though none have asked—but I know there are always those ponderings people don’t voice) why my blog is called “Brave Intimacy.” It is actually a name God gave me, a term of endearment if you will. 

In 2007, I went through a workshop called Life Change. Prior to that experience I felt like I was always shying away from life, preferring to live in the shadows instead of step out into my destiny. I had developed a philosophy of “playing it safe,” for the most part. I felt I was a strong person, but I would not have described myself as brave.

In relationships, I would “hold back”—not wanting to show my emotions too much. I didn’t want people to feel like they had to do anything or say anything in particular. Part of that hesitancy stemmed from an underlying belief that people simply tolerated me—that they didn’t really want to be close to me—that if they knew the real me, they’d run like wild horses. My lack of full authenticity with people kept me “safe.” And it carried over into my relationship with God. I would try to get close to Him, but somehow I always felt awkward—like even He didn’t quite “get” me. And bottom line—my entire relational struggle was based in fear. Fear of rejection mostly.

After the very last process of the workshop, on the third and final night, I allowed God to speak to me. I was open and truly listening to hear what He had to say. He took it one step further. He showed me a vision of myself on a large ship—it looked like the Titanic—I was on the bow of the ship looking into the vast ocean beneath, and the Lord whispered to me…Brave. He was speaking directly into my spirit, telling me who I really was—who He saw me as. Less than a split-second later (or so it seemed), Jesus was behind me in the vision, holding me close; it was clear I was to grasp that He was with me and that I would never have to be brave alone. It was then that I heard the next word, Intimacy.

That was the new name God gave me, a new identity to walk in, that I’m still learning to embrace. Brave Intimacy. I was made for intimate relationships.  And I was made to be a friend of God.

The way God sees us is always through the lens of Love, and—if we embrace it—wipes out any misperceptions or false beliefs we had about ourselves. When we begin to walk confidently in our God-given identities, there is nothing that can hold us back unless we let it.

Ask the Lord how He sees you. If it’s negative, it’s not His voice. Listen with an open heart. He will surprise you.