We are now able to have church if we follow the guidelines set out by the county. I was happy about being able to gather together with other Pilgrims in our journey with Jesus. My first Sunday back to preaching was a new experience for me. I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit as do most of the Pilgrims who gather for worship on Sundays. His Spirit works through all of our senses. In Him we have whole worship.
On our first Sunday back I looked out to a full house and saw faces with only their eyes showing. When I began to preach I felt like I was preaching to a brick wall. I could not read body language, see anyone’s smiles or frowns and I had no idea if anything I was saying was being received. It was a new experience for me. I was bored out of my mind with my own sermon. Emotions were masked. I had no idea how the message was being received or if it was even heard.
The second Sunday was not so bad and I hope in time we will be able to breathe free. Having to wear a mask in church reminds me of how many people that have been attending a church for years wearing a mask that no one can see. It hides who they are. I see people do all sorts of things to cover up their lack of love. Unforgiving hearts look for masks that make them look saintly. Actually we all are guilty of wearing them to hide our sins. It was only when we made the decision to follow Christ that the masks come off. God created us and knows us. We cannot hide who we are from God. Many hide behind the mask of caring and sharing when they are really unforgiving and want to control. We can hide behind all sorts of coverings that represent many agendas. When the masks come off is when God can do something wonderful with us. No matter what kind of mask people may be wearing there is no hiding who they really are. God knows. A discerning spirit can discern when someone is pretending. A discerning spirit makes one aware that there is a person or persons who need a healing prayer.
The second Sunday back when I looked out on all of our gathered worshippers with covered faces I felt a connection because of a discerning spirit enabling me to see who the real person was. When we walk with each other in the love of Christ we know each other. We have shared, cared and prayed together. A mask covers the face but it does not touch the heart or soul. Our identity is known by our love. A Christ centered church is where the Holy Spirit convicts us to let God remove anything that masks the reality of who God has called us to be. Many of my friends refuse to wear the mask but I would love it if everyone would refuse to wear masks that cover who they really are. I would be overjoyed to see everyone “Get Real” with Jesus. When we are unmasked our true feelings show. There are times when we can’t put on a happy face but the presence of the Living Lord by His Holy Power can change frowns into a Glory Crown. A Glory crown is the aura that surrounds us when we have gotten real with Jesus. Everyone wants to be loved, appreciated and valued and many wear masks to cover their perceived inadequacies. Getting dressed for life as Believers we leave our masks behind. What we wear as a health issue is not nearly as important as what we are wearing spiritually.
When we wear costumes it is fun to take up the character of the costume. I can pretend to be Wonder Woman. However… when we are clothed in God’s love and forgiveness our masks are gone and we truly are God’s wonder men and women. As we deal with the irritating masks it is a good time to reflect on our relationship with our God. Are we pretending in our relationship with His plan? We need to ask ourselves if we are real with God. If we are real with God then we will be real Christians. We will be authentic Believers full of love for others because we are loved. We will forgive and accept others because we have asked God to forgive and accept us! We will not be angry if we have to wear the face covering because we are filled with love for God and others. Wearing the masks will not be forever but wearing a mask that cannot be seen can ruin our forevers.
Luke 12..1-3 The Message (MSG) By this time the crowd, unwieldy and stepping on each other’s toes, numbered into the thousands. But Jesus’ primary concern was his disciples. He said to them, “Watch yourselves carefully so you don’t get contaminated with Pharisee yeast, Pharisee phoniness. You can’t keep your true self hidden forever; before long you’ll be exposed. You can’t hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known. You can’t whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day’s coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town. 4-5 “I’m speaking to you as dear friends. Don’t be bluffed into silence or insincerity by the threats of religious bullies. True, they can kill you, but then what can they do? There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.
