Skin

To become new men means losing what we now call 'ourselves.' Out of ourselves, into Christ, we must go. His will is to become ours and we are to think His thoughts, to 'have the mind of Christ.' And if Christ is one, and if He is thus to be 'in' us all, shall we not be exactly the same? It certainly sounds like it; but in fact it is not so.
It is difficult here to get a good illustration; because, of course, no other two things relate to each other just as the Creator is related to one of His creatures...
Imagine a lot of people who have always lived in the dark. You come and try to describe to them what light is like. You might tell them that if they come into the light that same light would fall on them all and they would all reflect it and thus become what we call visible. Is it not quiet possible that they would imagine that since we are receiving the same light, and all reacting to it in the same way (i.e. reflecting it), they would all look alike? Where as you and I know that the light will in fact bring out, or show up, how different they are...
The more we get what we now call 'ourselves' out of the way and let Him take over, the more truly ourselves we become. There is so much of Him that millions and millions of 'little Christ's', all different, will still be too few to express Him fully. He made them all. He invented- as an author invents characters in a novel- all the different men that you and I were intended to be. In that sense our real selves are all waiting for us in Him.
from Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

It is my struggle to be comfortable in the skin God has given me (see bottom of page, "Jones Skin and God Skin). I know that I am "fearfully and wonderfully made" by God's own hands. I know that He has fashioned and purposed me for a reason. But, I look at other's and they seem so comfortable in their skin. I watch and envy the affection, relationships, attention, acceptance, praise they are getting. My tainted inner monologue tells me to conform. I do so by reshaping and molding myself into an image that will gain approval. Eventually though, I must peel away the layers of everyone else, until I am nothing. I like myself best when I am nothing. Then it is Jesus I am wearing. I am lighter, free-er, more alive, and really me.