Removing the mask

At a very young age, we discover that wearing a mask is a part of survival. Not necessarily in a literal sense, but in order to fit into society, we learn to disguise all of the things the world may not accept.

Almost everyone feels the need to fit in; it is a part of our human nature to want to be accepted by our brothers and sisters. But the wise and righteous choice would be to look past the eyes of those around us and to turn our gaze upon the Father in heaven. His opinion is the only one that truly matters. Often what the world sees as right and successful is rather different from God’s desires, which is why we must come to a place where we are only concerned with glorifying Him.

Fitting in with the world usually includes disguising secrets about ourselves or our true personality. We try to be something we are not. We get so caught up in being normal that we forget that God has designed each and every one of us to be unique and unlike anyone He has created or will ever create again. Mathew 5:48 says, “Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously towards others, the way God lives towards you.”

Hiding our true selves only causes major harm. The result is often low self-esteem and the avoidance of close relationships. In John 8:32 Jesus says, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” If we ignore the truth about who we really are, we literally bind ourselves up and prevent the breakthrough of freedom in our lives. Jesus was the perfect example, lived the perfect life, and never even felt the need to conform to the ways of society. Romans 13:14 says, “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Striving to be like Him will bring fulfillment, and handing our lives over to Jesus will help us to learn how to stay away from the desire to match the world.

So, now that we understand that becoming like the world or putting on a false face is detrimental, we must also realize that in order for us to succeed we need to accept and like who God has created us to be. Some questions to ask might be: What do you like about yourself? What are some of your gifts and talents? What makes you, you? When we begin to focus on the positive things about ourselves, the negative things become less significant. Therefore, we should center our attention on building up strengths and then improving areas of weakness.

Discovering who we really are can be a tough mission, but if we work to find our identities through God, He will reveal His purpose for us gradually and in His own timing. The disguises we previously clung to will no longer define us; rather we may freely stand before the King unveiled and confident in who He created us to be!

2 Corinthians 3:16 and 18 “But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away… So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord and the Lord…makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.”

written:10.21.09