A Devotion for Unveiled Faces

What comes to your mind when you think of the word “recovery”? 

A blogger that I follow posed this question to her network on social media and came up with the following responses:

What became clear to the writer (who works in substance abuse and addiction recovery) and to me after reading these responses, is that recovery can mean many things to many different people. How we define recovery depends solely on our own unique experiences.

It can be a loaded term, to be sure. It can be mired in negativity, or shame, or guilt. Being “in recovery” can seem like admitting that you were not whole to begin with or that life got the best of you.

But as these responses reveal, recovery also carries with it a badge of courage. To be in recovery from anything, whether substance abuse, trauma, a storm, disaster, divorce or a health crisis is to be in a place of deep vulnerability.

Because at its core, to be in recovery is to be in a place where you desire change. To be in recovery is to be human and to be in recovery is to admit that you were never perfect to begin with.

And when it comes down to it, aren’t we all desiring to change? To each day, become more and more like the Christ who we follow? To be made more like him in our thoughts, words and actions?

Paul in 2 Corinthians writes: “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV).

Whereas Moses and the people of the Old Testament had to shield their faces because of God’s great glory, we, because of Jesus, can look upon the Lord’s mercy and goodness and power with our faces uncovered. We can lay bare our imperfections, failings, messy lives and broken hearts. And in that vulnerability, meet God face to face.

What will you uncover as you recover? What will be revealed as you walk alongside those who are in places of deep vulnerability?

Perhaps, like those responses above, some will find rest or inner strength or health. It is my hope that all will find healing in the face of the One who calls us His.

With you on the journey,

Amy