Yesterday, at a Bible study in our home, my husband shared this:
"What if everyone who came to church was welcomed at the entrance by a greeter who opened the door for them and said 'Come on in, but first please take off your mask and leave it here at the door.'?"
Authenticity---that is what he is talking about. True fellowship. So many times we as Christians can put up great barriers, not just between us and the unsaved but between ourselves and other Christians----the very ones Christ said whom we were to seek fellowship with. We are too busy looking perfect and pretending to be what we really are not, causing many others to stumble and prohibiting healing. No one can see the Cross because they are too transfixed with the unattainable. Unfortunately we divide the body of Christ and shun the lost with our destructive idolatry. No one can get near the Cross because of the great walls we have built. It is nothing but silent modern day Phariseeism.
I don't ever want to build those kind of walls with anyone. With friends, unbelievers or people who read this blog. The truth of the matter is I am no different from any of you. The things I write on this blog is just as much to encourage and inspire me than it is to encourage you and as it is a keepsake for my children to look back and see my heart when I am gone.
I want to always remember what Christ did for me---and I want to keep my life missional. The minute I have an inward focus it means death. True life begins with Christ as we serve others. We cannot put anything on a pedestal above Christ. Not even good things like ourselves, our families, our homeschooling or our agendas. We must become 'all things to all men' because if we really believe that the gospel is true--then time is short and people are perishing.
Let me ask you today---what things need unmasking in your life? Are you being honest with yourself? Are you living a missional life or are you in a holy huddle mode of 'us four and no more'? Do what it takes today to live your life fully and be on mission with Christ---take off the mask and show who Jesus really is in a culture that desperately needs to see Him.
"What if everyone who came to church was welcomed at the entrance by a greeter who opened the door for them and said 'Come on in, but first please take off your mask and leave it here at the door.'?"
Authenticity---that is what he is talking about. True fellowship. So many times we as Christians can put up great barriers, not just between us and the unsaved but between ourselves and other Christians----the very ones Christ said whom we were to seek fellowship with. We are too busy looking perfect and pretending to be what we really are not, causing many others to stumble and prohibiting healing. No one can see the Cross because they are too transfixed with the unattainable. Unfortunately we divide the body of Christ and shun the lost with our destructive idolatry. No one can get near the Cross because of the great walls we have built. It is nothing but silent modern day Phariseeism.
I don't ever want to build those kind of walls with anyone. With friends, unbelievers or people who read this blog. The truth of the matter is I am no different from any of you. The things I write on this blog is just as much to encourage and inspire me than it is to encourage you and as it is a keepsake for my children to look back and see my heart when I am gone.
I want to always remember what Christ did for me---and I want to keep my life missional. The minute I have an inward focus it means death. True life begins with Christ as we serve others. We cannot put anything on a pedestal above Christ. Not even good things like ourselves, our families, our homeschooling or our agendas. We must become 'all things to all men' because if we really believe that the gospel is true--then time is short and people are perishing.
Let me ask you today---what things need unmasking in your life? Are you being honest with yourself? Are you living a missional life or are you in a holy huddle mode of 'us four and no more'? Do what it takes today to live your life fully and be on mission with Christ---take off the mask and show who Jesus really is in a culture that desperately needs to see Him.
14 comments:
These are good things to think about. Man, I wish I could step back and see myself and how I come across from someone else's view. I want to serve and focus on my family instead of running around in the name of ministry while neglecting those under my roof. But, I don't want the pendulum to swing too far and be "us four and no more." It's a balance.
This was a good word. I do believe the world is starving for an authentic church, and that as believers we need to unmask so that we can minister to each other the way God intends. I often wonder how many saints are hurting and suffering in silence, unable to get free because they are so afraid of what others might think if they knew that they don't have it "all together"? Thank you for sharing this much needed word. Love your blog, BTW.
Oh! Such a beautiful post...
I talk about authenticity all the time, but I'll be the first to admit I am not the most authentic person right now...
I have to go to work...when I would really rather be home with my child...
I want to be a mom again so badly...my spouse does not want another, and I am respecting that...
I want to play, write, be...
instead I am who I said I would never be...
I think authenticity is courage.
To take off that mask...everywhere...is difficult. But much needed.
I just wanted to pass on a note of 'Thanks'. I am inspired and encouraged every time I read your blogs. I only wish you blogged daily - mother of 4 little ones myself I know that it's sometimes impossible. I am SO anxious to check your blog everyday for something new. May God continue to work through you!
:) Great blog- great post! I'm not even a Christian and I love coming here to read the wonderful thoughts you present. :)
I did want to comment on something that often nags at me when reading some Christian sites, though- the use of the term 'unbeliever' to reference those who aren't of the speakers faith. Just because one does not believe what you believe does not mean they are an 'unbeliever'. Many believe very strongly in their own faiths- they just aren't Christian faiths :)
Not that I expect this to change your mind or your practice- and I certainly hold no bad feelings toward you over the matter! ;) Just throwing it out there for thought :)
And- again- *wonderful* site you have here! :) Thank you for sharing it!
I would encourage you to delete the previous "comment," due to the awful pictures on the blog it refers to. My daughter was just shocked (I was sitting here with her) to click over there. Shame.
Mama Lamba,
Thanks for the heads up---the comment is deleted...
Many blessings...
dear June,
I check in everyday and I love reading your thoughts because they are so uplifting and your place is so beautiful. Thank you for your witness and transparency in your relationship with your blog-readers.
My personal blog is set to private because I want to leave my children a legacy of my words. . . . God bless you for your testimony and faithfulness in sharing God with others.
Blessings,
Gina
Thank you, thank you for posting this much needed message! It reminds me alot of Nancy DeMoss's list about Spiritual Pride. I am also reminded how anything can be an idol in our lives- like you mentioned- family, kids, our housekeeping skills, our serving, even our own husbands can be an idol.
Yes, many of us have decided to stay home, homeschool or give our husband more respect, but that doesn't mean we should find our worth or our happiness in those things.
And it is so wrong to pretend that we are living this perfect life if we are 'doing all the right things'.
Many people are hurting and unless we can be honest with others about our own lives- they will not open up to us. They will sink lower into their dispair thinking they are the only ones struggling.
It's ok to struggle. It's ok not to be perfect. Who are we trying to please? God or man?
Sorry to go on... :) It is a subject very near to my heart. I am one who thinks being transparent- as Paul was- is so important in our Christian walk.
Thank you again, sweet June.
In Christ, Chanin
Ladies,
You all had such good input, thanks for sharing your thoughts here. Apparently I am not the only one thinking about authenticity these days and may God help us to to truly examine our lives.
Chanin,
Thanks for the tip on Nancy Leigh Demoss---I would love to check that out.
Many blessings...
Dear June, here is a quote from Jonathan Edwards on Spiritual Pride i had posted on my xanga back in January:
"Proud people tend to speak of other's sins, the miserable delusion of hypocrites, the deadness of some saints with bitterness, or the opposition to holiness of many believers. Pure Christian humility, however, is silent about the sins of others, or speaks of them with grief and pity. The spiritually proud person finds fault with other saints for their lack of progress in grace, while the humble Christian sees so much evil in his own heart, and is so concerned about it, that he is not apt to be very busy with other hearts. He complains most of himself and his own spiritual coldness and readily hopes that most everybody has more love and thankfulness to God than he."
"One under the influence of spiritual pride is more apt to instruct others than to ask questions. Such a person naturally puts on the airs of a master. The eminently humble Christian thinks he needs help from everybody, whereas the spiritually proud person thinks everybody needs his help. Christian humility, under a sense of others’ misery, entreats and beseeches, but spiritual pride commands and warns with authority." -Jonathan Edwards- Spiritual Pride
Nancy DeMoss's list on Spiritual Pride- "41 Evidences of Pride" is here: http://www.reviveourhearts.com/topics/downloads/index.php?id=9496
Many blessings to you today!
In Christ, Chanin
I love that...transparency is the true clothing that every Christian should wear.
It reminds me of a favorite quote of mine, "People won't care what you know until they know that you care."
I enjoyed my first stop by!
Joanne
What a powerful and thought provoking post. Thank you dear one for sharing it.
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