December 2007 - Posts
Tonight, we talked about identity. While the curriculum might have covered some other issues, our big question was, what face have I painted over my true self? What mask have I put over my own identity? What keeps this mask on?
Then the next big question for us was, how can one move from the mask to one's true identity - from pleasing to trusting God?
One person in our group made a great point about the movement from the mask to my true identity. The path between the two identities is the path of fear. When we look down that path, it usually takes us driving through whatever fear you or I might have, which is probably the same fear that has kept us locked in that room. Fear of failure, rejection, loneliness, betrayal, etc. So many times, God tries to work in our hearts and bring us to our own true identity, but fear stands in the way. And so we stay trapped.
How can your core group help you move through this path of fear to our true identity? Next time you feel tempted to stay under the mask, call a member for support and prayer. Seriously, put your core-group on your My Five Fav's plan.
Other thoughts? Love to hear them.
Happy Holidays my friends!
Kevin
This is a poem I studied in college that came to mind last week as
we began TrueFaced and I think it's so fitting. I also find it
interesting that a poem written over a hundred years ago is still so
accurate of us today as a society and as believers as well.
My
mask is slowly coming off in pieces and chunks but I'm already feeling
lighter and more forgiving of my imperfections/weaknesses and those of
others. I shared with my group how I've been struggling with trusting
God and really believing that He's going to come through for me during
this period of waiting in my life.
I
frequently put on the "happy mask" and am hesitant to let people see
how truly broken I am at times and how disappointed I've been in God
over the past few years (because that doesn't sound like someone who's
supposed to be mature in her faith, does it?).
I
agree with Kevin that breathing seems to be much easier now. Like a
plastic Halloween mask makes physical breathing harder, the figurative
masks we wear no doubt suffocate our hearts and our spirits. But it's
time to breathe again!
Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906)
We Wear the Mask
WE wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.
Why should the world be over-wise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
We wear the mask.
We
smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
We wear the mask!
Our group asked an important question tonight: "What mask do I put on for my family?" We talked a few minutes around other aspects of the mask, but the mask our family asks us to wear became the most important question. Mine in particular is the mask of "goody-too shoes". "Kevin thinks he is better than everyone else." And so I am always walking on egg-shells, trying to prove to everyone that I'm just an average guy.
And so my family mask is born.
Most of my masks after that only seem to be a derivative of the first mask. Whatever the mask may be, it is usually about proving to everyone that I won't rock the boat - I will try to make them like me.
This holiday, most of us are going home. We will be forced to wear the family mask again. Let's all challenge ourselves over the holidays. Let's leave the mask in the car, and walk through the front door as we really are.
This Christmas, you will meet the real me. I will be honest with who I am. I will let myself finally be the person that God made me to be.
I can breathe again.
I might experience heartache, and hurt. But in the presence of God, I will have peace.
May God bless our holiday with freedom, truth and community.
Kevin
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