How to Release Shame and Grow Closer to God

Have you ever longed for a deeper relationship with God? What holds you back? For some, it’s an overbooked schedule. But for others (and maybe for you), sin or shame prevents you from trying to get closer to God. You may even be battling voices in your head saying you’re not good enough to enter in.

One of my favorite moments in the Bible is when Jesus, hanging on the cross, gave up His life— and the veil of the temple was torn in two. From top to bottom the barrier between man and God’s holy place was removed. Jesus made the way.

“And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Mark 15:37-38 NJKV).

This was no ordinary feat, no minor occurrence. The veil was 60 feet high, and some sources record it as four inches thick, woven of blue, purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen. Only the high priest was allowed to pass through the veil into the Holy of Holies with a blood sacrifice—and only once a year to atone for the sins of the people.