Who is That Masked Person?

Before you roll your eyes thinking that you might have to defend yourself about why you do or don’t wear a mask, wait. This is not at all about that. However, in revealing a little bit about my own mask-wearing, you may discover that we could be very much alike.

In order to not attract too much attention, my mask of choice is dark blue. It is light-weight cotton and nothing fancy. One is kept in a pouch in the car; the other hangs out in a pouch inside my purse. The mask goes on right before entering the store and comes off immediately upon exiting. Some days I never venture out of the house, so the mask lies in wait for its next appearance. Or so it seems.

Truthfully, I’ve struggled with mask-wearing for years. 

“How are you doing?” “I’m doing fine.” (Masking the truth and my feelings)

“Where would you like to eat?” “It doesn’t matter.” (Masking the truth..sometimes)

“Are you upset?” “No, not at all.” (Masking the truth and my feelings)

“Do you need any help?” “No, thank you. I’ve got it.” (Masking the truth)

You get the idea. Sometimes my mask has unattractive, deflective qualities, too. Masking my feelings and/or the truth can result in hurtful words, complaining, jealousy, pride, wrong assumptions, bitterness, and so on. Being able to shift the focus to someone or something else is so much easier than “manning-up,” right?

The soberness of ongoing mask-wearing is the realization that in it’s true form is lying, which is an abomination to the Lord (Proverbs 12:22). He hates it. Yet, speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) is a difficult choice as well. The Amplified version expands and explains even more, “Rather, let your lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]…” Ouch. Speak it. Deal it. LIVE it.

Not wearing a mask makes you vulnerable to criticism, unwanted opinions, isolation, and being misunderstood. Wearing a mask also makes you vulnerable to criticism, unwanted opinions, isolation, and being misunderstood. 

What it comes down to is that mask-wearing is definitely a choice. A personal one. Perhaps it will take a while to create a new habit of removing my mask a bit more, and maybe eventually I will have the courage to remove it all together. God will help me.

All the days I do or don’t wear a mask, He’s the one who sees the truth – the real me – and chooses to love me anyway. He’s the perfect example of loving beyond words…and masks.

"O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

2 

You know my sitting down and my rising up;

You understand my thought afar off.

3 

You comprehend my path and my lying down,

And are acquainted with all my ways.

4 

For there is not a word on my tongue,

But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether"

(Psalm 139:1-4 NKJV).

"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love 

with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, 

made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 

and raised us up together, and made us sit together 

in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 

that in the ages to come He might show the 

exceeding riches of His grace in 

His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus"

(Ephesians 2:4-7 NKJV).