Why do we all hide behind masks today? Not behind the physical ones but the emotional ones. They might as well be real as they achieve the same purpose: hiding the wearer’s true identity. Is it because we are afraid of rejection if others see who we really are? Why are we so preoccupied with other people’s opinions?
Even in our churches, today people can be inauthentic.
“How are you doing?”
“I’m fine thanks, praise the Lord!”
We sometimes feel we have to spiritually perform in order to gain acceptance and approval. So we say yes to teach Sunday school, attending church meetings, getting involved in as many ministries as possible for fear we will not get the holy nod of approval from our pastors, leadership and fellow congregants!
“Hiding behind masks can be so easy. We want others to believe we’re perfect and problem free. We want then to think we’re strong and capable of handling life, come what may. Heaven forbid they discover we’re worried about our kids’ friendships, or struggling in our marriage, or battling bulimia.”
Grace Fox “Peaceful Moments to Begin Your Day.”
Proverbs 29:25
“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord
is kept safe.”
God desires that we have genuine, authentic and real relationships. Obviously, we have to have wisdom with whom we share with but how many people get to see the real you?
So how then do we get to that place of creating meaningful relationships?
It starts with just one person who is prepared to let his guard down, remove his emotional mask and dispense with polite but shallow conversation.
“When we remove our masks and allow others to see our true identity, others feel safe and remove theirs too. When honesty prevails, we can pray for one another’s struggles, celebrate the victories, and press on towards maturity.”
Grace Fox – “Peaceful Moments to Begin Your Day”
When I find myself wanting to put my mask on, I try to remember that I have an audience of one who loves me just the way I am: warts and all! I then feel safe to be vulnerable and let people in so they too can be set free.
“In real fellowship people experience authenticity. It happens when people get honest about who they are and what is happening in their lives. They share their hurts, reveal their feelings, confess their doubts, admit their fears, acknowledge their weaknesses, and ask for help and prayer.”
Rick Warren – “The Purpose Driven Life”
So my challenge to you today is:
Are you wearing a mask, maybe even more than one, depending on who you are with?
Why are you wearing one?
What do you think God would have you do about it?
It only takes one person to be contagious!
Olga Fredericks
