Monday, November 2, 2015

THE MASKS WE WEAR


Halloween in our small town was so much fun.  

Everyone met up at the top of our main street, and then at 4:15 PM (more or less), a fire engine started rolling down the hill, and the costume parade started!  All along the parade route, people in lawn chairs, or people with the trunks of their vehicles open, or local businesses – handed out treats!

It was a fun and safe way to celebrate.

"The Hub" and I dressed up in our Western regalia.  I still can't believe how often he got stopped for a photo – but, after all, he does look like a pretty authentic Virgil Earp!

Oh, the sights we saw!!

I continue to be amazed at the creativity of people.

Homemade costumes, store-bought costumes, barely-a-costume costumes – we saw it all!  There were scads of cute, scary, creepy, pretty, clever, that's-funny, that's-disgusting, what-is-that, costumes.

I saw a dog dressed up like a squirrel.

I saw a squirrel dressed up like a dog – (not really, but wouldn't that be hysterical??)

Then, when we arrived in town, there was music and booths and food galore!

We went with our neighbors, who dressed up as 80's rockers.  I joked that we were representing a century of fashion all the way from 1880 to 1980.

After the parade, we went out to dinner.

Most of the employees were dressed up, including a very persistent Smurf who kept asking us if we were warm enough – (we were seated outside, and his upper body was covered with only blue paint!)

The strangest moment came when a guy dressed in a full-body skeleton leotard came up and asked us if we were having a good evening.  A crazy conversation followed – including "The Hub" asking if he had any ribs for our dinner – before he scampered off down the street.

Gotta admit, I just love dressing up.  It's fun pretending you're someone else for an evening.  

But, it also got me thinking about the masks we wear in our *regular lives.*


Masquerade.

This is the word from which we have derived the word "mask."  The origin of this word is Middle French, from the Old Italian dialect mascarada – (from Old Italian maschera – mask).  Its first known use was in 1587.

We're all familiar with the idea of a masquerade ball, a costume party.  I suppose in some ways, our parade was just that sort of thing.  But the word masquerade can also mean this:

A way of appearing or behaving that is not true or real.

Oh.

This is what I'm talking about.

Not being who we are, not doing what we should, not saying what we mean.

Now, I'm not gonna lie (irony here), there are two instances when I think husbands can be allowed a little forgivable fibbing.  

When answering these two questions:

1. Does this make me look fat?
2. Do you think that woman is prettier than I am?


Might I just say…powder keg.


These answers, though honest, might not be advisable:

1. You're beautiful no matter what size you are.
2. You're so pretty for your age.


Might I humbly suggest these alternative answers:

1. No.  (Or better yet – "Of course not!")
2. No.  (Or better yet – "What woman?")


But I digress. 


Wearing masks, living a masquerade life.

We all do it.  

The reasons why we do it are as diverse as we are ourselves.

Lack of self-esteem, fear of rejection, ulterior motives, jealousy, pride, stubbornness, shame, avoiding confrontation…this list could go on and on.  

And you know what's on your list.

In the end, wearing masks all comes down to hiding.

I remember years ago a very wise person said to me that if the way I was living on the outside didn't match the person I was on the inside, then I'd never find good mental health.

He talked about the idea of congruence (agreement or harmony; compatibility).

In math, two objects are congruent if they have the same dimensions and shape.  

Might it also be said that we are living a congruent life, a real and authentic and transparent life, when the shape of what we do and say matches the shape of our hearts.

Alternatively, hiding behind masks alters the shape of who we are.


Jesus is the only person who has ever lived that is completely and actually and honestly HIMSELF.

With Him, what you see is what you get.

No hidden agenda, no ulterior motives, no scheming or conniving, nothing but the Truth.

Therefore, He is our example of what it means to live with integrity.

And it is only by allowing the Holy Spirit to completely infuse us that we can become more like Him.

You see, living without masks is easier said than done, and the challenge is often made more difficult because we might not even be aware of the masks we're wearing.

The human heart is deceitful.  

We are skillful in the art of hiding from ourselves.

And if we're not careful, we can start believing the charade, the sham, the façade.

We can look oh-so-good-and-holy on the outside, while the inside is languishing in a self-made, whitewashed tomb.

Such contradictory living, such a lack of integrity, takes a huge toll.

I know.

There was a period of time when I was living an incongruent life.

And finding all sorts of creative ways to fool myself.

But, inside I was dying.

For if you belong to the Lord, masks become suffocating.

I finally changed when I got tired of smothering.


Halloween is fun, and I like dressing up as someone else.

But in my real life, I want to live life real.

I want no masks, no masquerade.

I want to be the real *me* – inside and out – and I want Jesus to shine through.


It's not an easy path.

It might require some really difficult work, as the Holy Spirit must be given full access to the innermost person.

He must explore and expose the hidden places.  

He must uncover the secret and darkened corners.  

He must remove the closet doors of deception, and throw open the windows of Truth.

His light might be blinding, and what He reveals may be painful to face.

But, it is the only way to have any hope of becoming someone different, someone better, someone whole.


Jesus wore no masks(except maybe the veil of humanity that "masked" His glorious majesty.  Remember that one time He glowed?!)

Jesus lived a life true to Himself, true to others, true to God.

This is what I want, don't you?



Lord, remove the masks that I wear to look better, to impress others, to get what I want, to deceive myself.  Reveal to me the innermost parts of myself that You want to change, to transform.  Shape me into the person that You created me to be.  Teach me to live out the virtues and values that You have placed within me.  Produce transparency and honesty and integrity in everything I do and say.  


Make my outside match my inside – and make my inside match You.






When Someone loves you
for a long, long time,
REALLY loves you,
then you become
REAL.

And once you are Real
you can't become
unreal again.
It lasts
for
always.


(Paraphrased from "The Velveteen Rabbit")




WE WEAR THE MASK

We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties...

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise...


-- Paul Laurence Dunbar 
"Lyrics of Lowly Life" (1896)





"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:13, NIV)

"For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths." (Proverbs 5:21, NIV)

"'...I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person.'" (Revelation 2:23, NLT)

"Search me, O God, and know my heart!  Try me and know my thoughts!" (Psalm 139:23, ESV)

"Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my mind and my heart.  For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth." 
(Psalm 26:2-3, NASB)

"You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver." 
(Psalm 66:10, NLT)

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a right and steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit." (Psalm 51:10-12, AMP)

"'I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you.  I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.'" 
(Ezekiel 36:26, NLT)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

"...put off your old self [completely discard your former nature], which is being corrupted through deceitful desires, and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude], and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God's image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation]." 
(Ephesians 4:22-24, AMP)

"I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there." (1 Chronicles 29:17, NLT)


"Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?  
Who may live on your holy mountain?
The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
will never be shaken."

(Psalm 15, NIV)



Are you wearing any masks?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, WORDS WITH WINTER, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, UNITE LINKUP, TESTIMONY TUESDAYREFLECT LINKUP, TUESDAY TALK, TALK TO ME TUESDAYS, RA RA LINKUP, WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, TELL HIS STORY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, WISE WOMAN, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, JOYHOPELIVE LINKUP, THE (NOT JUST) HOMEMAKING PARTY, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAYTHURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, EVERYDAY JESUS, GRACE AT HOME, SHINE LINKUP, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, LOOKING UP LINKUP, TGI SATURDAYS, STILL SATURDAY, WEEKEND WHISPERS, LIVING PROVERBS, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"


39 comments:

  1. That sounds like so much fun!
    I have worn many masks myself, when I think back especially I can see where I didn't let myself be me...so I would wear the mask of other people and knowing what I know now, they were likely wearing masks too.
    That's why the Bible says that man looks at the outward appearance, but God sees the heart. That's because God knows we all wear masks, at least some of the time.
    I think it starts the moment we tell a child to stop pouting, or to "be a big girl like so in so...etc. Right away a child learns to hide their emotions or what they really feel. I don't mean those times when they are throwing a tantrum in the store ..but just the way some folks don't want to deal with the child's emotions...working it out with them...instead it is easier to tell them to act differently.
    Maybe that's what the Lord means when he says we should have the faith of a little child...He does not cancel out the reality of what we are feeling or going through, because he knows we must be dependent on him and not on ourselves. As adults we wear the mask to get the approval of other people, when all we really need is God's approval.
    I really enjoyed reading this post, Sharon...Have a great week, my friend! ♥Lisa

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  2. I liked the wisdom your friend gave you about making sure the inside of you matches the outside of you. I do think we all wear masks, a lot of times I think we put the masks on to protect ourselves from hurts and then we forget to take the masks off and they almost stick themselves to our face, and can be painful to remove, but necessary to do so. So true too about how Jesus didn't wear any masks; good for us to continue to try to model ourselves after him.

    Sounds like such a fun celebration your town does for Halloween :)

    betty

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  3. Hi Sharon! What fun you had! Even though I don't 'dress up' anymore for Halloween, I can't deny how it creates community.
    What a great way to introduce the idea of the masks we put on to cover our true selves. Such a sad thing, because that's the opposite of creating community. It makes us different, not ourselves. Not good! God made us in His image, and that should be enough for me.
    My sister is coming in this weekend, and I have a mud-mask I think we should try. BUT! We will wash them off :)
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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  4. Yes, let's live life real -- no masks. They're fun for Hallowe'en, but not so great for real living!

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  5. It would kind of hard for me to disguise myself in a costume if I were to dress up. Not too many 6'5" guys around these parts...and definitely not in the church. But I've gotten too good with wearing a mask so people can't really see me. I ought to take into stock and do what many of our stores, banks, etc say around here: no wearing masks inside.

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  6. What a great way for kids to go trick or treating and the whole town got to be involved. The mask idea ......we all wear them at times don't we. Thought provoking!

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  7. Your parade and celebration for your city sounds like such fun. Off with the masks and there you are. I do believe in being open, and yet there are some things better not said or revealed. I am so glad that God reminds us that when He forgives, He also forgets. My hubby always says, I am beautiful to him, and "What woman." Love your illustrations too. Thanks for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.

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  8. Sharon, another wonderful post, as usual. My goodness, the Hub does look authentic! When I read the root of mask (masquerade) I thought of the word mascara. Isn't it interesting that it's probably from the same root, and we use it to ENHANCE our looks, but really, we're hiding, aren't we? We're not satisfied with the way we look without it, so we enhance our eyes in order to look more beautiful. I've only just started going out without makeup sometimes (and even sometimes at work! But I work with a bunch of men who don't notice those things anyway), and I'm really okay with it!

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  9. There are a lot of great thoughts here! I also liked the phrase 'if the way I was living on the outside didn't match the person I was on the inside, then I'd never find good mental health' because it is so true and really makes you think! Thanks for sharing!

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  10. What rich use of scripture! thank you for this thoughtful and intelligent post! Our walk with Christ is a journey of taking off masks, for we have not choice but to bow down to truth and we're convicted because of God's love! I love this..so true! "For if you belong to the Lord, masks become suffocating." The best part of being a follower of Jesus is the ongoing removal of our false selves, to discover the unfathomable love and blessings of knowing our true selves are being a child of God! Visiting today from Testimony Tuesday..you were next door on the other side of me and I liked your title and photo!

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  11. Sounds like a fun weekend! You guys celebrated in the "right" spirit. Loved hearing all about it. Masks...I heard a great quote by Sheila Walsh yesterday "My brokenness is a better bridge for people than my pretend wholeness ever was." Sobering, isn't it? Loved your message. May we remove the masks and be authentic in all things. I'm finding when I do, people love me more.

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  12. Sharon, I love that you incorporated the Velveteen Rabbit into this post. Made me smile. As always, thanks for sharing your wisdom with us. I am always so encouraged when I visit your blog. Hugs

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  13. Wonderful post Sharon! Sounds like you all had a fun weekend! I was able to help out at Fall Fest at church with my sister and her kids. It was fantastic! I really appreciate your thoughts on the masks we wear and how than can deceive ourselves. Recommitting my life to Christ after my stroke has allowed me to throw away those masks and let the "real" person shine through to glorify Him! Thank you for sharing such a thought provoking post. May God bless you and yours!

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  14. YES, dear friend! I want to be like Him, inside and out...no more masks. I love the verses you shared....I was thinking of Hebrews 4:13, too. Oh, dear Lord, help us to lay aside all pretenses and just BE who you want us to be in these perilous, last days! There is no sense in us pretending. When we stand before Him, there will be no place to hide. So glad you had a nice time the other night...wish I could have seen that costume! You will have to post pictures. Praying for you often and always keeping you close in heart! Love and appreciate you so!

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  15. Hi Sharon. Fancy dress is a way of life for me. I become the characters in the stories I tell. But in the end, I prefer comfy clothes with no makeup at home. Just me and my Lord. No stories but His Story. Blessings of the day to you and PLEASE treat us to someat more photos of you and hub in all your wild west regalia.
    JOY
    Kathy

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  16. I LOVE this post and totally crazy that we are neighbors on the 3 Words Wednesday Blog! I just published a book called - "UnMasked: The Journey from Surviving to Thriving." You can imagine the smile I had when I saw your post!!!

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  17. Your Halloween festivities sounded like so much fun...like the stuff from the old days. I bet you and hubby looked fabulous! What an outstanding post this is...so full of truth...very convicting. I copied and pasted your prayer from the end of this post into an email for myself. I'm going to print it out and keep it where I can see it everyday. God bless you, my precious friend.

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  18. Hi Sharon, so much rich info here. So much to absorb, but so much truth. I am not very good at being something I am not, but I know I dont always put my feelings out there in honesty. I may not disguise them, but I may hide them which I suppose may actually boil down to the same thing... hmmm

    I love your answers to certain questions, yip, your answers are spot on, lol

    As per usual, great post,
    God bless
    Tracy

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  19. Authenticity. Some people have that more naturally than others, but it's something we all should strive for, to take off any masks that we're hiding behind. Thanks for sharing this truth in a way that made us laugh too. :)

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  20. True that... It's so easy to justify our actions and the masks we wear. The idea of congruency makes a ton of sense... especially after having lacked it. It's a constant battle against the flesh as appealed to by the enemy of our soul.

    How the gifts of our senses can so be used against us. Thanks for the fun post and the thought provoking proposal, as always.

    I dressed up as myself... yeah, women and children were scared... maybe a real live mask is okay?

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  21. A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a skit called "keeping it real" and about 6 of us gals performed it for our PWOC program on Authentic faith. It too was all about taking off the masks that we hide behind and laying down the burdens on our heart.

    So clearly, we are once again on the same page.

    And yes, it would be SO hilarious to see a squirrel dressed up like a dog. :-)

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  22. Oh, my friend, always a message that speaks. I'm most likely to wear a mask when things become confrontational. Definitely a work in progress. So what was Marty's costume ?

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  23. I tend to wear masks to protect my heart from being broken. It's really hard to be me. But I'm learning. And everyday, I believe it a little more that God loves me exactly the way I am.

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  24. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop

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  25. oh Sharon, no masks ... of any kind ... only truth n me real...ly. sorry so late n little...pls c my AGblog comment 11-1~Peggy

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  26. Great post! I wore a mask for more than 20 years...still do at times, but God is patiently pulling it off me as He encourages me to step into my fears in trust. Thank you for compiling the Scriptures at the end of your post.

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  27. Oh wow, that smurf sounds hysterical! :P Such a great post, thanks for sharing. :)

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  28. Thank you for sharing with us at #JoyHopeLive!

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  29. Oh Sharon, I spend so much time with a mask -- learned it at quite a young age. I think pain drives us to wearing one. Nobody wants to hear how much I hurt. And quite frankly, I despise being gripey -- hence a mask. It keeps me from dwelling on it, too. I choose to let them see the joy -- because it is there, it just needs to forget the physical. I'll have to read your post through a couple more times so I can ponder it in the quiet of the next few days. i'm always blessed when I visit here.

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  30. Live life real. You nailed it here as always. Loved your description of all of the masqueraders you saw...a squirrel dressed up as a dog, that would be awesome. But your thoughts on the masks we wear were so on point. I do it, have done it and wish I wouldn't! Jesus wants us to be authentic, even when things are not so wonderful, He redeems and restores and then we can be a testimony to others, not a fake that confuses those around us. Help me to be real,Lord! Blessings to you Sharon.

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  31. Stopping by from the weekend whispers link up :) I love this! You're so right. Jesus lived a genuine life on earth and as his followers, we should be striving to live in authenticity and transparency!

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  32. I love this post. A friend and I were talking about this very thing not long ago. I'm afraid I'm far to comfortable with my mask.

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  33. I love the idea of a parade rather than door-to-door treats. Terrific opportunity for fellowship!

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  34. I've read: We wear masks that when we take them off we wouldn't be able to recognize each other. Sad but sometimes we have to wear them. But in God's eyes, we are bared yet He still loves and accepts us.

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  35. This funny and well written blog post speaks true to my heart for I want more than anything to remove all my masks, especially the one made out of fear to be my authentic self and shine God's light bright in this world. Thanks for sharing this with me at TGI Saturdays this week. Blessings to you.

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  36. I am sure I wear masks but the more broken I become the more I share my heart. I love the Bible verses you shared.

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  37. How fun that you all dressed up and had such a great time! I loved the message behind this and of living the life God intended for us. Thanks for this reminder and for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week :)

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

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