Lori, at All You Have to Give, has been meditating on the "details" each weekend and I've decided to join her. This week has been a full week. I looked back on my posts this week and thought about my activities and I see: the Word, Prayer, Fellowship, Family. The key components to life, really.
But the details are in the small moments...My Cutie Bug made a mask for her party at school Wednesday. The theme was Wizard of Oz so her mask was supposed to look like Dorothy. I'm sure all of the masks were cute, but honestly, hers was the best - the eyelashes were curled, the eyes had little pupils and the hair was in two pigtails with red ribbons. That girl knows how to pay attention to details. So, I just had to take a picture of her with some classmates but then I realized I would never know who these kids are.
The detail is this: masks. If we wear a mask, no one will know who we really are and that makes fellowship impossible. God created the church as a place for people to be authentic with each other. That's how we encourage one another, lift one another up, pray for one another - when there are no masks.
Masks are difficult to see through too - you remember wearing masks with little holes for your eyes that you could hardly see through? That makes it tough to read Scripture with clear focus. Our masks get in the way of seeing what God has for us there.
If we do not come to prayer with our authentic selves, it is a mockery of prayer. So, the mask must come off in the presence of God. Really, do we think God doesn't see our true self anyway? He knows all the faults, mistakes and foibles and He still loves us.
It's easy to put on a mask in this bloggy world because we can manipulate words and even pictures to show our best side. But, I believe God wants us to be real, to be honest and sincere and take off the masks because His glory shines on our faces (just like Moses) only when the mask is off. When Moses was in God's presence, God's glory could be reflected to the Israelites but he had to put a veil on because it was too bright! If we are regularly in God's presence, our faces will shine too, but let's not cover it up with a mask!
Comments
I LOVE your reflections...thanks for joining and I agree, hers WAS the best;)
THANK you so much for joining in, I love the perspective of others who have such wonderful ways with words!
LIKE YOU!!
~have a WONDERFUL weekend..You can bet that 'masks' will be on my mind~
lori
One of my favorite quotes is:
It shouldn't be that hard to be yourself.
But sometimes it is just that: so hard to be me. A mask feels more comfortable.
Thanks for challenging me to lead a more honest life.
I'm writing an article right now using the Wizard Of Oz characters. It's fun to see the masks.
Thank you, Heather, for the time you took to comment on my blog today. It means a lot to know I am not alone in my struggle.
Lord, bless Heather with opportunities to share the passions of her heart to others. Use her gifts and talents for your glory. You've created her uniquely for such a time as this. May we both not discount the little ways we can write or speak for you. May we trust you in the waiting and in the in moving. Thank you, Father. Great is your name. You are worthy to be praised. This day and everyday. In Jesus' name, Amen..
Another visit from you--another visit to your blog.
:O)
So, why aren't you a part of NaBloPoMO?
Or is that a silly question?
I hope you become a regular along The Writing Road. Appreciate your comments and questions.
You are so right, we need to be authentic. Its easy to hide behind all of those masks and even fool ourselves. I've known people that I think have forgotten who they are inside. Sad, really.
For me, its all about taking that time each day and pouring myself out before God. If I allow myself to be open to Him, He can work in wonderful ways!!