Masks

Why is it that we human beings feel the need so many masks? Why is it we have to pretend to be somebody we are not? Why is this so especially in the church?

In the church we have had to pretend "I have it all together" when in reality we are going crazy. We have pretended "My marriage is always rock steady" when in actuality it is on the rocks and you are just staying together for the sake of the kids. We have feigned that "I am happy" when we are torn up inside. We have fooled people into believing that our family is altogether when we are more like the Osbournes than the Cleavers.

Thankfully, in Christ there is an alternative. In relationship with Christ we can be who we are. There is no need for masks when we are in relationship with Christ. We do not have to pretend to be somebody we are not or put on aires to protect people's perceived perceptions of us. Instead, because he loves us as we are with all our warts, pimples and wounds we can be authentic. Christ never leaves us where we are and in him a marriage is strengthened, sadness is turned into gladness, and families are held together even in their dysfunction. Even if we would want to put on a mask and seek to fool God about who we really are or what we are really feeling it would be of no use. He knows out thoughts and our hearts.

That is not a scary thing, but good news actually. Because it means he knows all that about us and still loves us and through his life, death and resurrection loves us more than we can ever know.