What Masks Do You Wear?

Have you experienced how masks can be powerful, frightening, and more than a little dangerous?

With a mask we can become what we pretend to be.  A make believe actor in a make believe world, pretending to be who we want people to think we are.

Saying one thing while thinking something else.  Acting like you’re listening when you don’t hear a word that’s being said.  Or pretending to be intact, when you feel inside you feel crushed.  Are any of those skills you’ve mastered as you’ve gotten older?

The theme of this guided audio meditation from Mark 11 will offer you much encouragement as you seek to worship God today.   Transparent worship.  Honest praise.  And sincere longing.

Resting in imaginative contemplation for a moment...imagine walking along with the disciples and Jesus that evening.  That morning you had seen a fig tree pretending to be a fig tree.  Having leaves but no fruit.  During the day you had seen Jesus throw pretenders from the Temple.  People having leaves but no fruit.  This evening you see the fig tree again, shriveled up and dead.  No more leaves.  No more pretending.  How do you feel seeing Jesus unmask the pretenders?  Jesus revealing hypocrisy.  Jesus rewarding honesty.  What happened when you saw this?  Where did you feel it? How did you feel it?   Be mindful of those feelings as the Holy Spirit guides you.

Let me pray that you remember that everything you pray and ask for—believe that you have received it and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Amen.

In the days ahead you will surely face moments where you feel you are pretending.  Showing your leaves to the world but secretly bearing no fruit.  Ask  God for the courage to remove your mask and let the world see you as He sees you.  

You might experience some fear, weakness, or shame.  But in those moments simply thank God for the reminder that nothing surprises Him.  He knows of your weaknesses, yet chose you by His grace to be His child. 

You might also know someone who is hiding behind their own masks.  Surely you do.  Someone hiding behind a mask or blanket of shame. Who is it?  See them in your mind for a moment.  How can you reach out to them and remind them that God loves them as they are.  That by Christ’s work on the cross, God sees them as pure, perfect, righteous, and holy.  No masks needed. Only humility and honesty. 

So when you are ready, step out to encounter God as you truly are.  And stop pretending to be who you know you aren’t.  

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