Pastor’s Corner: “Wearing a Mask in June?”
Pastor’s Corner: “Wearing a Mask in June?”
2 Corinthians 4:2 (MSG) – 1-2 Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we’re not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times. We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.
Although it is not October, not Halloween, are you still wearing a mask? I am not talking about COVID masks or literal masks but emotional and spiritual masks. Are you wearing a Christian mask? Do you ever find yourself pretending to be someone you’re not? Pretending to “have it all together,” but in reality, your “all togethers” are falling apart? You would never want people to see the “real you”, the person behind the mask. You would be embarrassed if you were ever “found out.”
So….we put on our masks, go about our business, and when friends ask how we are, we smile and declare, “Great – Blessed! How are you?” Hypocrisy will wear us out. Pretending to be something we aren’t – or someone we aren’t – is absolutely exhausting. The constant need to check what we’re saying in front of whom, and to remember to act a certain way in front of some people and another way in front of other people – few things are more tiring.
Because so many of us are wearing these perfection masks, we look around and think that we are the only Christian who is “messing up.” We feel like failures. We would never admit to needing help, let alone actually asking for it! Instead of building one another up and encouraging each other in our faith, we pretend that we are just fine and hide behind our masks. You do know that you’ve got to admit your true faults before you can begin to get help, right? It’s not so that you can be judged but it’s so you can get your joy back. Aren’t you tired of wearing this mask? Aren’t you sick of being someone you’re not? Lying to live but really not living. Faking it until you make it but not surviving.
God sees through the mask right down to the “real you”. He sees all the flaws and mistakes and failures and yet loves us completely and unconditionally. Isn’t it comforting to know how much He loves us? Psalm 139 tells us that God searches us and knows us. He knows us completely, from the inside out. He knows a word before it even reaches our tongue. He is familiar with our ways. He isn’t surprised by us. He knows every thought, every worry, every joy, every hurt. There is no where we can run from His Spirit, no where to escape His love, no mask to hide our person from Him. With God, we can stop pretending, take off our mask, and allow Him to love us.
Realize the price of the masks you wear. Understand that your masks prevent you from experiencing intimacy with God. Rather than trying to impress God, pursue an honest and intimate relationship with Him while relying on His strength. Know that your masks prevent you from pleasing God. Instead of vying for other people’s approval and praise, live to please God alone – no matter what others think of you. Shift your focus from establishing your identity on earth to becoming a follower of Jesus. Understand that your mask prevents you from experiencing intimacy in relationships. Rather than trying to prove your value to other people, seek to simply connect with them.
When we take off our masks and are honest with each other, we will find that we all make mistakes and not one of us is perfect. The true meaning of His Grace will become real to us and we will understand how much we are all perfectly loved by our heavenly Father!
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton