If people knew you - the real you - would they run the other way? Where does this come from? Why is that voice inside your head so cruel? How can you make it go away?

Lots of self help gurus attempt to address these questions but the true, life changing answer isn't found in the latest best seller. It's found in that simple little story you were told as a child.

Remember Adam and Eve?

God created the first couple, Adam and Eve, and he gave them paradise. Everything was perfect, no death, no crying, just perfect harmony. We find this described here;

Genesis 2:25 states "And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed."

Reading this story as a young boy, I would always get distracted by the word naked. However, think about the situation this is describing. Adam and Eve would have been completely open, transparent, and vulnerable with each other, and with God. Yet they were not ashamed.

So what happened?

We all know what comes next in the story. Adam and Eve knowingly break one of God's rules. Let's zoom in on the result. Genesis 3:7 informs "The eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings."

Suddenly Adam and Eve had something to be ashamed of. They weren't comfortable being exposed so they automatically tried to cover themselves with fig leaves.

You see this desperate hiding continued in verse 8 of Genesis 3; "And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden."

You can almost hear their thoughts.......

"How could God possibly love me after what I've done? If He could see me--the real me--He would run the other way. Maybe if I could just hide the ugly parts, then I'll be good enough."

Sound familiar?

What do your fig leaves look like?

Figure out how you fill in the following blank and you will find your fig leaves: "If I could just __________ , it will hide my flaws, and then I will be loved, get my needs met, and live a problem free life." Some hide behind success, others behind education or position. What's certain is this; the deeper you bury your shame the more it will eat away at your soul robbing you of the awesome purpose God has for you.

There's a better way

Thankfully, if you are like Adam and Eve, cowering in the trees, desperately trying to cover your flaws with fig leaves, what God does next in the story will change your life.

Genesis 3:9 says, Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?"

God initiates the contact here and thankfully Adam answers; "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."

Again, you know the story, Adam and Eve explain what happened and God then tells them the consequences of their sin. Once again, let's zoom in on what happens afterwards. What does God do? Genesis 3:21 tells us; Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.

Clothed by God

This appears to be the first death in the Bible. The death of an animal to make a covering for Adam and Eve. We don't have the details but you can imagine how much of an impact this would have had as an innocent, trusting, perfect animal was killed for Adam and Eve's sin.

And we know what this points to. That Sacrifice that is described in Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

While you were cowering in the trees, desperately trying to cover your shame with fig leaves, He loved you so much, He allowed His innocent, perfect Son to suffer and die for you.

This changes everything because God says, "You--the real you—shame and all, are worthy of my love."

No longer do you need to hide or fear being exposed. No longer do you need fig leaves to try and feel confident because you have this; Isaiah 61:10 "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of His righteousness. As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with jewels."

God's Plan for you

Do you want to go through life with confidence? Do you want to know you are valuable and silence that voice of self-doubt? Do you want to be authentic and open with everyone you meet? Easter claims to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ to "save you." The tragedy is that Easter is a cheap counterfeit. God's Holy Days can give your life incredible purpose and unlock your awesome potential. Another Holy Day season starts in a few weeks with the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread. Will you answer God's call as you hide among the trees? Will you allow Him to clothe you? Or will you desperately cling to your fig leaves?