This time of year brings excitement and joy for many. From pumpkin-spiced “everythings” to fall decor, October brings a warmth and calmness that other months cannot brag of.
Yet, when one thinks of October, you are filled with images of masks.
Masks...EVERYWHERE!
Whether you love Halloween or hate it, you cannot escape the costumes, wigs, and masks that adorn the stores. Many people spend all year planning for the day when they can simply pretend to be someone or something else. Sadly, October 31st is not the only day on the calendar we grab our masks.
Many of us are wearing beautifully-ornamented masks every day of our lives.
We pretend to be perfect.
We pretend that we agree with the crowd.
We pretend to like those we don’t care for.
We pretend to have money that we do not have.
We pretend to be happy when we are struggling with depression.
We pretend to be productive when we are truly just busy bees.
Lots of pretending, lots of masks, and lots of insecurities, all painted over with white lies and exaggerated truths.
Many of us could win an Academy Award for The Best Actress in a Daytime Series. (Ouch!!)
Somewhere along the line, we decided that if we aren’t perfect, we aren't good enough. This perpetual thought of wanting to be seen as worthy keeps us in a state of overthinking and overtrying versus embracing who we really are.
It’s time to take off the masks and embrace who God’s called US to be.
What’s been reassuring for me is to know that God enjoys ME to be ME! He doesn’t require me to be a copycat of another person. He desires for me to walk in the fullness of my identity. Even in the midst of my flaws, my past, and my hang-ups, He loves the real me that doesn’t have to pretend. Furthermore, I find that others prefer the true version of me.
I believe the true reason we have such a hard time living authentically is that we have yet to walk fully in who we are in Christ.
Standing in your identity in Christ is the key to embracing the true you.
For in him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:28a
We find our identity in Him by knowing His thoughts of us and how He views us! This gives us a bold confidence. The following are just a few aspects of how God sees you!
1.) His child
For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. Galatians 3:26
2.) Worth Dying For
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
3.) Made on Purpose
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
4.) Forgiven
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
5.) Chosen
Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. Ephesians 1:4
6.) Deeply Loved
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. Romans 8:38
With JUST these six aspects in mind, how could we ever allow ourselves to cover up who we are! How dare we allow comparison and the need for a perfectly-polished image to rob us and cause stress in our lives! When we do so, we cover up the beauty of God’s grace.
God’s grace sees past your mess and USES the very thing you are trying to cover up to bless others.
I’ve found that it’s in sharing my pain and being vulnerable that God can move the most. In fact, recently I’ve found that my most shared videos are the ones where I look a bit disheveled, truly share my heart, and just give my testimony. The authenticity of the moment makes others see themselves in you and want some of what you got (JESUS)!
It’s in embracing that I’m not perfect that I can draw people back to the one who IS perfect.
Today, I challenge you. Better yet, I PLEAD with you to release yourself from your beautiful mask. You no longer have to allow the pressure of perfection or trying to fit in drive you to a place where you no longer recognize yourself. There’s no joy in being a copy. The world is waiting to meet the real you.
If you are still learning who you really are, ask God to reveal who He’s called you to be. If you ask, He WILL speak!
This month on Victory Speaks, we will continue to journey into the topic of Beautiful Masks! Guest writers will share their stories of how they overcame this obstacle! Subscribe today to not miss a story! It’s going to be good!
Let's keep the conversation going below. Share an area that you've felt the urge to wear a mask to cover up who you really are!
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