'Tis the Season for Masked Mites--whether you celebrate it or not--but this is not a party for mini-trick or treaters! Rather, it's an unmasking party for grown-ups--revealing the "real" you and me underneath the masks we wear. God sees us as we really are anyway, so let's be honest with ourselves and with each other, and begin the party!
A Helping Word...or Two!
I Need Mercy!...
Before we remove the masks, let's talk about mercy. For if no mercy is available, there's no use to reveal that hidden self that so desperately needs mercy!! Believe in God the Father, and you will see the mercy of a loving heavenly parent. Believe in God the Son, and you will know the mercy of a loving Savior. Believe in God the Holy Spirit, and you will feel the mercy of a comforting Friend. For mercy, and mercy alone, makes the Christian life available--and liveable! Believe that--and you WILL have courage to remove the mask! Come to the mercy seat--mercy awaits you there! It's the Father's Word, and you can count on it!
I'm Angry!...
There's anger underneath that mask? We can cover it so well, with measured sentences; calm, controlled tones of voice; polite words and actions. And yet underneath we steam with anger at circumstances, people, and perhaps even God. We can be very proper, and pride ourselves in our self-control, all the while fuming inside. Ever been there? Sure--unless you're not human like me! God looks beyond the niceties of our carefully designed masks, and sees the cold, destructive misery of it all. For we ARE miserable--but MERCY understands. And mercy changes us. All to His glory and our great relief--but ONLY when, in His presence, we remove the mask! Do we dare?
I'm Scared
You're scared underneath that mask? I'd never know it--for you seem so self-confident, so "together," so "in charge." But you are, and you hide it well--from everyone, that is, but God. He sees the frightened, insecure self behind the cover-up, and again, He does not condemn--He understands. We truly ARE scared--but MERCY understands. And mercy changes us. It gives us confidence and security--not in ourselves, but in Him. All to His glory and our great relief--but ONLY when, in His presence, we remove the mask! Do we dare?
I'm Kool!
No one knows you're angry or scared! Why? "Cause you're a "kool" Christian, and proud of it! The "kool" cover-up gives you an air of control and calm--you join in the jokes and laughter; you are upbeat in conversation--and uptight inside! God knows all about it--the "kool" becomes hot in His holy presence, as you realize He KNOWS. And yet He understands--He loves you--kool and all. He offers mercy--to end the pretense; to begin being REAL.
Have you ever tried to be REAL with your Christian friends? If they are truly Christian friends, they will not send you packin'--they will love, support and encourage you--and admire your transparency. Be REAL--don't fake it with your friends. If you're having a "bad hair day," find a good Christian friend and share it. Now don't unload the troubles of your entire life all in one sitting--that could be a bit much--grin--but know there are loving friends who will value your unmasked honesty. And want to be like you, as well. All meeting at the mercy seat on level ground; all remembering His mercy for our deepest needs. Want a close friendship? Then try being REAL--and watch what happens! It will be all to His glory and our great relief--but ONLY when, in His presence, we remove the mask. I dare you!
Saints!
And here's the wonder of it all...we are "saints," even when we are acting angry, scared, and kool--He identifies us as His own; He welcomes us to the mercy seat with open arms of love and understanding. We do not lose our "sainthood" each time we put the mask back on--no! Rather He waits with patience for the unmasking WE must do in His presence. And then, comes the great part--He has a REAL covering of grace and mercy for all our faults, inadequacies, hangups, and failures. It's called the Blood of Christ, and it is still real and powerful for us today. Claim it, saint--it's yours!
Angry? Scared? Kool? There's one just like us in God's Word--Peter! This poor guy--blustering, over-confident, and yet failing all over the place--was masking our same failures. For underneath he, like us, was angry, scared, and kool. But one day he took off the mask in the presence of God's mercy. And God changed him into a great man of mighty faith. His confession of faith became the foundational rock of the Church. He became a saint in the sandals of real life. All to His glory and Peter's great relief! Can we do the same? I dare you!
Now go take off a mask--or two--or three, and have a good week!
And that's just a word...or two, from my heart to yours!
His Healing Word"Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16 KJV)."
"Lord, I've worn masks for too long. I detest the make-believe, the pretense of happy living, when in fact, I am quite miserable. I bring the misery to you; I unmask in Your presence. I ask Your help to be real in my world. I joyfully accept your mercy and my status as a saint in your wonderful Kingdom. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
Peggie's blog, "Fun 'n Faith for the Soul" is no longer available.
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