Be Real – Don’t Wear Mask

Be Real – Don’t Wear a Mask

I have been seeing many homes have pumpkins, autumn-colored mums on their doorsteps and Halloween decorations in their yards. Children have a good time deciding who they are going to be and what they will wear as they go trick or treating and of course eating their treats.

As I was thinking about Halloween coming up at the end of this month, I started thinking of jack-o-lanterns, costumes, masks, etc. It reminded me of how many of us try to cover up our feelings or who God designed us to be. We too, as grandparents tend to hide, conceal or disguise how we really feel about ourselves or who God says we are to be. Paul writes in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”God created us to be genuine, authentic, sincere, and truthful, pleasing Him with doing good works for Him. Wearing a mask to cover up who God designed us to be will not bring us fulfillment.

 I like the verse Eugene Peterson writes in 1 Peter 5:7 The Message (MSG) “So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. 1 Peter 5:7 The Message (MSG) God has designed us for a purpose, let’s be content with who we are and not put on a mask trying to impress others. Let’s be real, genuine, and authentic so others see us as God intended us to be.

Let’s ask ourselves:

• Do I really believe God is who He says He is?
• Do I really believe I am who God says I am?
• Do my grandchildren see that Jesus Christ is the focal point of my life or do they think I am wearing a spiritual mask?

During this Halloween season, let us encourage our grandchildren to be real and honest and not wear masks in their relationship with Jesus Christ, their families and at school.

“A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful”  (Proverbs 14:25 NIV).

By Lillian Penner, Co-Prayer Director for Christian Grandparenting Network, lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net