By Manndi DeBoef
Over the past two years, we’ve been wearing masks at school, work, and in public. On Halloween, people wear masks to adopt a new persona. And, in reality, most everyone wears a different mask most every day.
My mask might take the form of saying, “I’m fine . . . everything is fine,” even though my world is falling apart. I just don’t want to burden others with my problems, so I pretend all is well.
I might wear a mask even though I truly feel the world owes me, nothing in life is fair, I choose to stay in this depressed state because it’s easier than rising above discouragement and actively making a change.
Or I might manage a smile while thinking, I’m tired, weary, worn, I have no passion left in life, I’m simply going through the motions with little joy and peace as a respite at the end of each long day.
With Jesus, we don’t need to wear a mask. Even if, out of habit, we try to wear one in his presence, he can see past the camouflage and deep into the recesses of each human soul. He said,
No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open (Luke 8:16-17).
Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, his children are free to remove the masks of pain, guilt, and disillusionment, and to simply cry out to a Father who sees beyond their hidden hurt to the needy heart he alone can heal. Jesus’ sacrifice allows us freedom to be true, real, raw, and open not only with him, but with the world. We can take off our mask and bask in the illuminating light of freedom that comes from knowing our sins are forgiven and we have assurance in eternity with our loving Father.
As we come together for Communion, we envision Jesus’ human body on the cross as we eat the bread, and we see the precious blood he shed as we drink of the cup. May we feel gratitude for the freedom to remove our masks of shame and let Jesus’ perfect love and grace abound deeply in our hearts.
Manndi Maphies DeBoef works for the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Pharmacy. She is also a freelance writer. Her two sons, William and Waylan, provide parenting inspiration for her stories, which are fueled with inspiration, humor, and often a relatable devotion inspired by her relationship with Jesus.
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