All Kinds of Masks!

When we were first told that we needed to wear face masks to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, it was almost impossible to find any. I remember going on Amazon and ordering a few for Kim and me at a price I thought was outrageous. Then, a friend of mine in NYC heard that I was having trouble getting my hands on some, and knowing someone who had access to them, sent a couple packs of masks to my house—hand delivered!

 

Today the situation is quite different. One can find masks readily available in just about any store. And, they are being made and sold by all kinds of companies and stores—and with all kinds of designs. In fact, a couple of weeks ago I bought a package of three denim-looking cloth masks from GAP. I have seen sports masks, funny masks, statement masks, and even masks to be worn with formal wear. It’s amazing to me how quickly the mask industry has grown and thus the variety of masks that are available today—all within a relatively short time. Yes, today there are all kinds of masks.

Wearing my pineapple mask!

When you think about it, we all tend to wear masks. Now,  I’m not talking about the physical ones that we put on our faces, but the way it is we carry ourselves and the impressions we make on those around us. Some people put on the mask of being a good person; others put on the mask of being moral or religious. There are those who put on the mask of being generous or compassionate. Some put on the mask of being cool! You see, if the impressions you are giving to others is not who you truly are, you are just wearing a mask. That’s the definition of being a hypocrite—i.e. one who wears a mask!

That’s what Jesus faced when he was dealing with the religious leaders of his day. These were men who appeared to be good, moral, and God-fearing on the outside. But Jesus saw through to who they were on the inside. Thus, he said to them, “You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.” (Matthew 23:25) and, “…first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5) In other words, stop wearing masks!

 

The psalmist knew that when it comes to our relationship with God, it’s no use wearing a mask. He wrote, “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.” (Psalm 139:1) And then he prayed, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) Rather than putting on a mask before God, he opened his life to God and prayed for God’s help.

I’m thankful that when it comes to my relationship with God I don’t need to put on a mask. After all, he already knows all about me—who I am, my strengths, my weaknesses, and my failures—and, yet he loves me and calls me his child. I don’t need to come to God putting on religious airs or somehow trying to prove to him how good I am. Instead I can come to him, as the old song says, “just as I am”—i.e. without any masks!  And, you can do the same!

 

At least for this period of time, we may need to wear masks when we go out in public. But when it comes to our relationship with God, let’s get rid of the masks! 

 

Have a great day!

 

Pastor Tim Harris