The stores are already full of them. It's October; known best in our culture for the changing color of the leaves, pumpkins, and Halloween. With Halloween comes stores filled with costumes and masks. But the reality for many Christians is that they consistently wear a spiritual mask.
A spiritual mask is worn to try to conceal our true spiritual identity.
How many of you have ever been to a family reunion? There's usually a lot of work and preparation to get ready for a reunion. There are usually a couple of the family members who make all the arrangements and then send out the invitations. Everyone that can make it shows up at the specified place of meeting and share a wonderful day together.
There is a lot of reminiscing. Remembering past get-togethers and laughing about funny memories. There are discussions about those family members who have passed away, memories filled with laughter and tears. Yet the whole day is spent with family. Family members know a lot about one another. There is the ongoing grapevine. You hear things about cousins and aunts and uncles because Aunt So-and-so called your grandma, who passed it on to your other aunt, who shared with her husband who calls his brother who is your dad and the grapevine continues.
Your family are those people who know you, mistakes and all. They know your past and where you have come from. They know the things you have done and they know what you are doing now. They are able to see beyond the masks that you wear. And they still love you in spite of it all.
This is exactly how it should be when we come to church. When we get together here every week to worship, we are having a family reunion for we are the Family of God. No, we don't need the grapevine to spread rumors or gossip about anyone, nor should we justify using the prayer chain as a means of doing such a thing. We should be coming together and sharing with one another with no fear of judgment and rejection. We all count. All members of this family count and there needs to be laughter and yes, sometimes tears as we take off the masks and learn to be open with each other. Celebrate and worship together our God who has made all this possible. So, what masks do you wear? Ask God to reveal the things in your life that maybe you have overlooked and forgotten about. His Word says, "Search me, O 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) It's time to start taking off the masks.
Believing in you,
Pastor Scott
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