Unmasked

Ever the performer, I grew up learning how to put on a smile. What many people may not understand about families in ministry is that we don’t want to be a stumbling block for others. The pressure to appear like everything is fine and you have it all together is something I dealt with my whole life.

We know the truth. No one is perfect. Social media has made appearance of perfection even easier. Just post the good photos. The ones where everyone is smiling. The ones where I look the best. The ones that are what I wish we were when, in reality, life isn’t like those photos at all.

I recently attended a masquerade gala with a ladies

group. The theme was “Sis, Take Off Your Mask.” I started with a mask and elaborate makeup, but by the end of the evening after weeping at the feet of Jesus, the real me was revealed. Taking of the mask is easier said than done when you have spent a lifetime convincing the world-even yourself-that everything is perfect. 

You see, my mask is a security blanket that hides the things people won’t love about me. As a woman who has dealt with rejection issues and feelings of unworthiness, I don’t like being transparent. It’s uncomfortable. It leads to my deeper issues of fear of abandonment and self-worth. Past sins only exacerbate these deep wounds.

But God didn’t call me to hide behind a mask. In fact, when I re-dedicated my life to the Lord in 2013, the mask came off for good. Do I still try to put my best self out into the world? Of course. But I am more intentional about taking the mask off and allowing the world to see the vulnerable, ugly parts of me that God has redeemed.

Friend, I get it. That mask is so attached, you may be wondering how to even try to peel back its protective layers after years of becoming used to the false security that your mask has provided. It may be a daily occurrence to take off the mask until one morning, you realize that you don’t even have it on. But it’s so worth it. Amazingly, my vulnerability and transparency have made me feel free and more secure than before. It’s crazy, but it’s true.

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.        

(2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

The bottom line is recognizing God for who He is and understanding who YOU are in Him. That mask can’t protect you or shield you or comfort you. Only God can do that. And, oh, how He longs to do just that. All the times when I thought I had control because my face was controlled, God so wanted to wrap me up and let me just be His. 

It’s time. Take off the mask and be real. Bask in the grace of Jesus, who advocates for us. Be free. Live  unmasked.

© Jill Cook and Unbroken & Undone Ministries.  All rights reserved.