How to look God in the eye.

When my wife and I first adopted 'our Haitian daughter' I noticed immediately that she couldn't look me in the eye.

It was the strangest thing.

She'd hug me. Tickle me. Try to pick me up. She even said 'I love you dad' and 'I love you mom' as soon as she moved in.

From the outside, she showed every sign that our relationship was solid, except she wouldn't look me in the eye. It was always...

Head slouched. Eyes fixated on the wall, the ground, the coffee table, her feet.

Everywhere but my face.

I understand that kids do this when they've 'messed' up. But that's the strange thing. She sometimes did this when everything was normal.

I didn't understand it until it started to get better. The longer she was a part of our family, the easily it got for her to look me in the eye.

Its like the more convinced she is that we won't back out of this deal... that this is her forever family and nothing will ever change that.... the more she's able to confidently look daddy and mommy in the eye.

I think we can all somewhat relate to that spiritually. At least I know I can.

I pray to God. I talk about God. I worship him. Raise my hands. I love Jesus. From the outside, I show every sign that our relationship is solid, except...

I get really uncomfortable when I have to look Jesus in the eye.
Not literal 'eye' but you know what I mean.

Isn't it sometimes hard to stand with full confidence before God?

Its like we know we're in but we're not 100% at home yet. We're not sure if he'll change his mind (based on that thing we did that one time). Even though our names are on the door and our last name is changed to his, we still feel like orphans in our own home.

So we come to God with our head slouched.

We're not completely insecure but we're also not confidently waltzing in like sons or daughters. Because we feel weak we shy back.

The incredible thing is, the writer of Hebrews says that is precisely why we should come confidently before God. Check it out...

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Jesus gets our weaknesses. He can empathize. He knows you're weak and unworthy.
There's no risk of Jesus finding out something about you that he doesn't already know.

He knows all but he invites you in anyways. You can come confidently because there is only mercy and grace. No wrath.

So approach Jesus. Head up. Confidently. Look God in the 'eye' like His son or daughter and find help in your time of need.

Question:
Is it hard for you to sometimes look God in the eye (feel confident before him)?