"Exposure"

EXPOSURE

Presenting myself as green with self-protection in between those signs of life. How can I dwell in peace with weapons hidden beneath? Trying to save myself, I’m losing it. Deflecting opposition with my guarded position, I’ve become accustomed to the status quo. But this drought season—guilty of treason—is causing all my cover to fall and I am utterly exposed. Every scar and threatening spine laid bare in this light. Telling you the truth of everything I tried to hide, casting pretension aside and learning to dwell in the sun with the One who redeems it all. Truth-tellers learn the law of loss and profit. (Matthew 16:24-25; 1 John 1:5-7)

The Madagascar Ocotillo bears fleshy, oval green leaves arranged in pairs along rows with spines in between. During the dry season the leaves drop, then quickly return with rainfall or when it re-enters the growing season.