We've got a 3-year-old who is a 14-year-old. No, I mean a 14-year-old who is a 3-year-old! He's the world's biggest pretender, and when Mom is "mad" at him, he turns on his 3-year-old charm, and I'm a goner.....this is a real act! His 16-year-old brother takes him by the hand, as he, on SHOE-shod KNEES, pitter-pats into my office, and with a very authentic toddler voice, attempts to carry on a baby conversation with his very aggravated mom--who cannot resist the wit and charm of it all. And HE knows it, the rascal! You'd have to be there--it is too funny for words...but it is pure PRETEND, and I suppose that is what makes it so funny!
Well, while "pretend" in our family is hilarious, and "pretend" in a play can be delightful, it's NOT fun in real life! Perhaps Halloween is a good time to reevaluate ourselves and find out who we really are. Now it does mean taking off our masks, so I'd advise you to remove them immediately and leave them at the Well--at the Master's feet (HE already knows we're wearing them!), and let's look for the REAL in ourselves and in others today!
A Helping Word...or
Two!
Make-Believe Love!
Are you caught in a make-believe world of love? Oh, you love to some superficial extent--you say the right words, do the right things, and act the right way. But underneath the shallow exterior is an emptiness--the real love of Jesus Christ is not flowing as it should. Well, of course, HE knows it, and the people around you may FEEL it, but be too kind to tell you. Off with the mask! Let's start being REAL....love confronts, but it does not control; love heals but does not hurt; love warms--but does not warp. If you've been hurt long ago, you may be afraid to truly love again....please don't! Bring that hurt to Jesus, and as He heals it, REAL love will begin to flow to your family, your friends, your God and your world. He's waiting for you to take off the mask....are you ready to do it?
Make-Believe Joy!
Are you caught in a make-believe world of joy? Oh, you laugh at the right jokes, pretend you are happy and victorious--you sing all the praise and worship choruses! But you would DIE if your pastor and all your "victorious" friends REALLY knew how you feel inside. You're distressed and discouraged; you're fearful and anxious--the well of true joy has run dry, but you're too afraid to show it! After all, Christians are "supposed" to always be on top of the world--full of victory, joy, and eternal happiness! Stop it! Be real--let your friends, your family, AND your pastor know you have needs--that you need a smile, a prayer, a hug. It's OK to be real--God knows you're faking it anyway. So why not take off the mask, in His presence first, then in the fellowship of trusted friends who will love you and pray with you--and maybe take off THEIR masks too! God's waiting...are you ready?
Make-Believe Peace!
Are you caught in a make-believe world of peace? Oh, you appear outwardly to have it all together--you play the control game well. No one knows the utter turmoil deep within your soul and spirit...it's covered up with the mask of "calm Christian" BUT it's not for real. You're far from calm, but too afraid to admit it--to God, to your friends, to yourself! Well, take off the mask. If you're scared, TELL somebody. If you're sick, TELL somebody. Don't bottle it up inside lest you look less than "what a Christian is SUPPOSED to look like" - stop it! Be real; take off the mask--God already knows you for who you are, and He loves you--warts, worries and all! He wants to give you REAL peace, a divine peace that radiates in reality from deep within. You can't manufacture it or fake it, only God can give it. And He's waiting....are you ready?
We all fear the frown of others--of revealing "the real me." Why, maybe if they knew "the real me," they wouldn't like me! No--they'd LOVE you, for a REAL person is warm, vulnerable, transparent, and not afraid to let others know when they hurt. The real Christian is not afraid to face inadequacies, fears, lack of faith, failure, or whatever--they deal with negatives as much as the masked ones. The difference? They don't fake it! They acknowledge their humanity--to themselves, their close friends and family, and their God (Who's known it all along!), and who says, "I LOVE the real you--I DIED for the real you; won't you take off that mask and let me REALLY love you?"
...and that's just a thought or two--from my heart to yours!
His Healing Words
"Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part thou shalt make me know wisdom (Psalm 51:6 KJV)."
"Lord, I'm tired of the masquerade party....I want to be real. Here's my mask--take it, keep it, and release me to be real--with my friends, family, associates--and most of all, YOU. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
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A Hurting
Word...