I wrote the post that is below back some time last year about how we wear masks to cover up who we really are. Yesterday Brian spoke on masks and how if we wear masks we truly can not experience God-Likeness because we aren’t true to ourselves or others. We put on a mask to cover up who we are, maybe something we’ve done or are ashamed of. I know in the past I have worn masks, trying to not let people in and get to know me. Over the last couple of years, I have slowly taken those masks off and thrown them away, I’ve learned that this is who I am and who God created me to be, so why should I cover it up and hide it. I’m comfortable with how God made me and who he created me to be. I listen to this song by Casting Crowns and it just makes me think of exactly what Brian was talking about yesterday. We need to take the masks off so we can be more Christ like and become closer to those we come in contact with, at church, work, school or wherever it may be. <\/p>\n
From November 2006:<\/strong> Is there anyone that fails Cause when I take a look around So I tuck it all away, like everything\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s okay Are we happy plastic people Is there anyone who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been there The performance is convincing But would it set me free Would your arms be open I was listening to this song today on the way to work and I always sing along with it but never really listened to the lyrics. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a powerful message and all too real. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know about you, but there are many times that I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve felt like this, just wanting to hide how I feel and putting on a good face for everyone. Putting on this act is just what the song says a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153masquerade\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, you put on a mask to cover your true feelings and in doing that you never really let anyone in. On the flip side, we are so used to people asking how we are out of a basic courtesy but not truly meaning it so we just say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and both go on our way\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6this has taught us to keep our feelings inside and hide them. We think to ourselves, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to actually know how we feel, so why tell them. We might scare them off.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d For me, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not that, okay maybe sometimes, but mainly its just the fact that I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to burden anyone. But that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s why we have family, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ. They are there for us no matter what and let us know we can be ourself and take off the mask. Are you the type of friend whose friends know they don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need to wear a mask around you? I think I am and I hope my friends know they don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need any kind of mask around me, ever! We need to get off the stage, put up the masks and just be ourselves.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I wrote the post that is below back some time last year about how we wear masks to cover up who we really are. Yesterday Brian spoke on masks and how if we wear masks we truly can not experience … Continue reading
\nStained Glass Masquerade
\nby: Casting Crowns<\/p>\n
\nIs there anyone that falls
\nAm I the only one in church today feelin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 so small<\/p>\n
\nEverybody seems so strong
\nI know they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll soon discover
\nThat I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t belong<\/p>\n
\nIf I make them all believe it, maybe I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll believe it too
\nSo with a painted grin, I play the heart again
\nSo everyone will see me the way that I see them<\/p>\n
\nUnder shiny plastic steeples
\nWith walls around our weakness
\nAnd smiles to hide our pain
\nBut if the invitation\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s open
\nTo every heart that has been broken
\nMaybe then we close the curtain
\nOn our stained glass masquerade<\/p>\n
\nAre there any hands to raise
\nAm I the only one who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s traded
\nIn the altar for a stage<\/p>\n
\nAnd we know every line by heart
\nOnly when no one is watching
\nCan we really fall apart<\/p>\n
\nIf I dared to let you see
\nThe truth behind the person
\nThat you imagine me to be<\/p>\n
\nOr would you walk away
\nWould the love of Jesus
\nBe enough to make you stay<\/p>\n