Proving that American’s can politicize and polarize anything, face masks became a dividing line in our country in 2020. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, masking has been an issue of constant conversation. First, Americans were told not to wear masks. Then Americans were urged to wear masks. Then, many Americans were coerced by laws or ordinances to wear masks.
Most people hate masks. Even the people who affirm their purpose, don’t enjoy wearing them. However, if we are honest, there are some really great benefits that have come from mask wearing. On more than one occasion, I have been thankful because my mask shielded others from my facial expression.
I’m one of those people who’s facial expression often speaks louder than my words. So, a mask that covers large portions of my face has often helped me to hide my initial reactions or emotions. My grins have been shielded. My disappointment has been hidden. Even my anger has been concealed. I’ve been able to use my words to speak louder than my face.
Now, masks are coming off again, and I realize that people will once again be able to read my emotions before they hear my words.
The things we have hidden for over a year, will now be on display for the world to see.
What has your mask hidden? Has it hidden fear, sadness, disappointment, or pain? Maybe your mask has hidden joy, comfort, or excitement.
Regardless of what has been hiding behind your mask, you will soon find yourself exposed. COVID will cease to be an excuse to wear a mask, avoid crowds, work from home, or watch worship on your couch in your PJs.
We have lived for a year where isolation was expected and rewarded. But, isolation takes its toll. We weren’t meant to live alone. We were created for relationships.
Taking masks off can be scary. Without a mask we may feel vulnerable and afraid.
But, it is in that vulnerability that you begin to forge relationships that last. Remember, vulnerability doesn’t necessarily mean sitting bearing our souls in with candles and coffee. Sometimes we get vulnerable when we attempt hard things with a friend or when we acknowledge and area of weakness in our lives.
When people see me with my mask off, they get to know the real me. They see me, not in the pulpit, but in relationship with my wife and kids. Perhaps people see me in my home and not in my office, or they see me tired and irritable instead of rested and lively.
Our mask says, “I have it all together,” but when the mask comes off, people discover the mess and the struggle.
I don’t know what you’ve been hiding, but I know that as long as you hide it, you are forced to deal with it on your own. Masks help us to hide and isolate, but they don’t help us to love and heal.
2 Corinthians 4:7 reminds us,
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
We are feeble, breakable, finite. God is all powerful, God has nothing to hide. But we are fragile, sinful, and often broken. Masks conceal our brokenness, but they reveal our blindness. We hide because we are blind to the realities around us. There are no perfect people. There are only people, broken people in need of healing and forgiveness. Hurt people in need of a savior. Behind your mask you convince yourself that no one can understand because no one else is like you.
But, we are all jars of clay.
So, take off your mask. Step out of the darkness. Open yourself to the hope and joy found in relationships. We’ve spent long enough hiding in isolation. Come out of the darkness. Reconnect with community. Recommit to relationships. It is OK to be afraid, but it is not OK to allow that fear to rule and ruin your life. The retreat is over. Today is the day to re-engage.
Photo by Zach Vessels on Unsplash
