“David said to Michal, ‘It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes.’”
We all have a tendency to pretend. We want people to think we have it all together, that our families are perfect, and that our faith never wavers. In his book Soulprint, Mark Batterson calls this living with an "Alter Ego." It is a fake persona we create to impress others or protect ourselves.
Batterson tells a funny but convicting story about a time a neighbour mistook him for someone named "David." Instead of correcting her, he just went along with it. She called him David for years. At first, it was a joke. But eventually, it became a burden. He had to hide his real identity just to keep up the charade. He realised that trying to be someone you are not is a trap. It is exhausting.
I think we do the same thing spiritually. We put on what Batterson calls "Royal Robes."
Think about King David. He was the most powerful man in Israel. On the day he brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, everyone expected a grand, dignified military parade. They expected the King to act like a King. They expected pomp and circumstance.
But David did something shocking. He took off his heavy royal robes. He stripped down to a simple linen ephod, which was basically his undergarment, and he danced before the Lord with all his might. He didn't care how he looked. He didn't care about protocol. He was desperate for God.
His wife, Michal, watched from a window and despised him. She thought he was embarrassing himself. She wanted him to be dignified. She wanted him to keep the "Royal Robes" on.
But David refused. He told her, "I will become even more undignified than this!"
David understood a profound truth: You cannot worship God and protect your ego at the same time.
What "Royal Robes" are you wearing today?
Maybe your robe is your job title. You feel you have to project success and power to be respected. Maybe your robe is your intellect. You are afraid to ask simple questions or admit you don't know the answer. Maybe your robe is a spiritual mask that says "I'm fine" when you are actually broken inside.
These robes might make us look impressive, but they keep us distant from God. They are heavy, and they are hot.
God is not interested in your Alter Ego. He is not interested in the polished version of you. He wants the real you. He wants the undignified you.
It takes courage to disrobe. It feels awkward to be vulnerable. It feels risky to admit our weaknesses or to worship with abandon. But Batterson reminds us that "True authority derives from authenticity." People are not looking for perfect leaders or perfect Christians. They are looking for real ones.
So, let’s take off the heavy robes of expectation and pride. Let’s stop worrying about what the "Michals" in our lives might say. Let’s be willing to look a bit foolish if it means getting closer to God. As David showed us, the only thing standing between you and your destiny might just be your dignity.
Prayer of the Day:
Father, I am tired of pretending. I am tired of carrying the heavy weight of my own reputation. Today, I choose to take off my "Royal Robes." I lay down my pride, my titles, and my need to look perfect. I want to worship You with a free heart. Help me to be authentic. Help me to care more about Your opinion than the opinions of others. I am willing to be undignified if it means being closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.