By Ginny Jensen
Ginny serves WorldVenture appointees and international workers by encouraging and equipping them to fulfill God’s global redemptive purposes and by assisting each person to finish well with Him.
Masks have become a fashion statement and a point of conflict. In the past, masks were commonplace in other parts of the world. In the United States, we associated them with burglars, Mardi-Gras, or Halloween.
By definition, masks protect, disguise, or entertain. A masque is a form of entertainment where the performers wear masks. Often, life is a masque. We mask our true feelings or present a façade that disguises who we are, what we think, or what we feel. These masks come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes.
What are the masks we wear? For some, the mask of confidence covers a heart of fear or insecurity. Others wear a smile to cover the pain of life. The mask of false humility sometimes covers a heart of pride. Whatever the mask we wear, if studied, would reveal areas of un-freedom in our life. Each mask veils areas of life we are unwilling to face, an assumption of life that distorts reality.
Masks are confining. What is it like to live mask free? What is the process for removing the mask? Physical masks are much easier to remove. Simply, take it off. The invisible masks we wear are far more challenging. Spiritually, the removal of masks is the process of surrendering to His love. Imagine what it would be like to be free of the masks you wear!
Ask God for what you need from Him to begin the mask removal process. Is there something He is inviting you to in this journey? What practices will keep you focused on Him as you are being transformed? How can you encourage others to do the same?
“Lord Jesus, give me the grace and the strength and the courage to take off that which I use to cover myself, and to clothe myself only and always in you alone. Amen.” – Jim Branch, page 169 in the Blue Book.
Resources:
- The Inner Life, World, and Vision of Healthy Cross-Cultural Workers by Dennis Ahern
- Meme, Myself and Isolation by Christy Otten
- 3 Principles for Times of Anxiety by Ming Perrello, MS, LPC
Do you need prayer? Go here to ask for prayer to start the process of unmasking. Allow us to support you in prayer in your journey of transformation.
Header Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay