Are You Wearing Your Face Mask?

These days, face masks are not all that easy to come by. With the call for everyone to wear one when they are in a public space, we have all been scrambling to find them online or to make our own. At first Kim made a couple out of fabric that she had in the house. They were ok, but so thick I could hardly breathe! Then we were able to order a few washable ones online. I thought they were just a plain black color, but when they came, we realized they had a little bunny on them—complete with a little fuzzy, pink tail! Well, they were perfect for Easter!  Then, a friend of ours from New York gifted us some disposable ones to have on hand. They seem to work the best. Whatever the case, at this point Kim and I are thankful to have some face masks on hand for when we do need to go out. In fact, I usually keep some in the car so that they are always available.  

Me with my "bunny" face mask!

Yet, to be honest, I hardly find the wearing of a face mask a pleasant and comfortable experience. They make it a bit harder to breath. After a bit, I become quite warm. Sometimes, depending on the mask, they begin to slip out of place. And, my glasses fog up. Worst of all, it becomes a bit harder to recognize one another when we are all wearing face masks—after all, more than half of one’s face is covered.  Yet, we all understand the necessity of wearing them at a time like this. In spite of the inconvenience and the difficulties they present, the benefits of wearing a face mask during this time outweigh the negatives--just ask the medical community!

If you think about it, there are lots of things in life that are uncomfortable and even unpleasant which in the end, bring benefit to our lives. It’s a principle we often have to ingrain into our children—e.g. eating our vegetables, doing homework, getting to bed on time. As we grow and mature, we begin to realize that sometimes the greatest benefit to our lives is found in some of the most uncomfortable and unpleasant parts of life. The New Testament writers even go as far as to speak of the benefits and rewards that come with suffering and pain. 

James writes, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4 - NIV) Peter wrote, ^“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith” (1 Peter 1:6-7 – NIV) The Apostle Paul speaks of the way our present sufferings cause us to look forward to our eternal redemption. (See Romans 8)

So, maybe the next time you’re wearing your face mask and thinking about how uncomfortable, unpleasant, or just plain annoying it is, take a moment to consider what God might be doing in your life through this difficult time we are all facing. What is God trying to produce in you? What lessons does he want you to learn? Or, maybe he is just trying to get us all to look ahead to our eternal home wherein no one will ever have to wear a face mask again!

Have a great day!

Pastor Tim Harris