I Still BelieveНамуна

DAY 3

Title: Wearing the Mask

“I would put this mask…up of what people wanted to see…But behind that mask was an Auschwitz survivor, that was skin and bones that nobody loved, because nobody knew him. So I lived holding this image up, and dying on the inside…it was like, if I could just do this, then I’ll be happy…I would come home off the road or whatever, from an awards show, I’m still empty.” -Russ

Devotional Content:

When I was in high school, our youth group did a skit called “Masks” that had a profound impact on me. The story was about four teens struggling with their identity. Each teen talked about who they wanted others to think they were, then who they really were behind the mask they were wearing. My role was a teenage boy who wanted everyone to like him. He could put on a different mask for different people. If he was at church, he wore one mask and if he was out with friends, he wore another. Behind the mask was an insecure boy that was afraid for anyone to know the real him.  

It impacted me because in so many ways, I was that boy. I hid a lot because I didn’t know how people would react to the real me. Sure, there were times that I let the mask down and let some of the real me out but the mask was always within reach. I remember thinking that when I was an adult I would not have to wear a mask anymore. Adults don’t have to deal with that! My reality later in life was that adults have their assortment of masks too. 

When I went back to graduate school at 35, my goal was to be the best Christian counselor ever. When we started Awesome Marriage in 2011, I wanted to be a great leader and challenge people to have the marriage God designed for them. It was not like those were bad goals at all.  My problem was that I could lose my focus. I could take my eyes off Jesus and His plan and look at myself and what I was doing. Then the attacks came. “You are not a good counselor.”  “You are not really helping people.” “No one wants to hear what you have to say about marriage.” “You are never going to make a difference.”  

It amazes me that I can counsel people, help them to focus on Jesus in their lives and to renew their minds and see themselves through His eyes but can totally lose sight of that truth myself. The answer to all the attacks, lies and reasons to put on a mask is Jesus. I am perfect in His eyes and He is always there with the answers that I do not have. The same is true for you. Let’s put down the masks and embrace the unique person that He created you to be. 

Today’s Challenge: 

Think about any masks that you are putting on. Why do you wear that mask? Thank God that you are fearfully and wonderfully made and embrace that truth today.