When I was a child I hated Halloween. I was never a kid that needed many sweets and the idea of knocking on a door to receive them was crazy. What I really disliked was the costumes, because of the mask. The mask were used to create an illusion of secrecy. The idea was to hide who we really were, and become someone else. I know it's all apart of childhood, and fantasy, but some times we grow up and continue to wear a mask.
We dare to be different, but we strive to be accepted. Our mask may change from day to day, they can be based on the situation we are in, or the group that surrounds us. Some times we become what others want, or expect us to be, and in the process we lose a little of who we are.
When someone is being cruel, or making a joke at the cost of another's reputation do we laugh, do we join in, do we put the mask of unkindness on to be a part of the majority? Do we become what we don't like to win the approval of others and be accepted? We have all been there. It's sometimes easier to listen to the gossip, to join in, and maybe add to the problem. We are taught that we are to treat other's the way we would like to be treated, but would we really like to be treated the way we treat others? Do we wear the mask of cruelty more then the mask of kindness?
We cannot ever really see into the heart of another. We may think we know them, and deem them to be trust worthy, but then a situation may occur that causes us pain and we begin to view them in a different light. We begin to see the human flaws, and we feel let down, and dissapointed. We feel wronged and justified in our anger, but we neglect the understanding needed to see that they too may be feeling pain.
There are also those times where we are the problem. We see ourselves as being better then someone because they are different , or don't share our ideas and beliefs. We put on the mask of pride and delusion. We make ourselves feel better by attacking the person who goes against us, forgetting that we are all created different, and those differences are what makes life exciting. We tend not to embrace the lessons learned through others, instead we put on the mask of intentional pain and open our mouths and allow our words to be used as weapons. We forget the bond and closeness we once shared, and we forget that they were once friends. We put on the warrior mask and plan out attack. We create our army and become upset whenever others refuse to be a part of it. We feel we have been betrayed and we proudly wear the mask of the victim.
There was a man who also was adorned in a costume that he did not deserve. He was accused of crimes he did not commit, and given an unfair trial. He was beaten, spit upon, and belittled. They placed a crown of thrones on his head, and placed a robe on his bloody, beaten body. they then made him carry a cross which they nailed him to. He wore no mask, he had nothing to hide, only love to give. He loved so much that He allowed Himself to die for us. He became the only true sacrifice in order for us to be able to live victorious without the mask of human nature. He arose from the grave and sent His Holy Spirit to comfort us, and empower us in order for us to be able to overcome the mask that satan wants us to wear. The evil mask that kills, steals, and destories. The mask that robs us of our joy, and causes us to behave unkindly.
We are the only ones who have control of our mask. At the end of the day, we are the one who has to look into the mirror, and decide if are we happy with our appearance. Do we see ourselves as we really are, or are we fooling ourselves. Do we try to please others at the risk or hurting someone in the process, do we hide behind the mask and use it for our personal gain, or do we allow the Lord to help us remove the mask and become who He wants us to be.
Maybe if we would spend less time focusing on the weaknesses of others, then maybe we would have more time to work on our own. Maybe if we would allow the Lord to help us, and change us into His imagine, then maybe we would be able to put away the mask. and become who we should be, and who the Lord intended us to be.
Father God, I pray that you bless us. Speak to our hearts, and give us the opportunity for others to see you in us. Change our attitudes, and create in us a desire to remove the mask and be the people you created us to be. Help us to be able to look in the mirror and be happy with the image that we see. Continue to love us in spite of our faults, and teach us to be more like you. Remind us to be kind and considerate to those around us. Help us to think before we speak, and use our words to help and not hinder. Help us to love one another, and truely treat others how we would want to be treated. In Jesus name I pray. AMEN
