Are you afraid for people to see the real you?
Do you sit in the PTA meetings and pray they will not ask you to be on any committee? And if they do ask you do you smile and say of course! Are you hiding behind the mask of, “can’t say no?” How about someone ask you to babysit their kids, and you really had plans of going bowling with the girls, what do you say?
So many times in our lives we find it easier to hide behind the mask of “yes,” or “I’d love to,” or even, “This is the best I have ever tasted,” instead of the truth. Maybe your mask is one of confidence, when inside you are a quivering tower of gelatin. Maybe you put on the mask of being a good parent in public, but are abusive and/or neglectful in private. These mask don’t threaten your eternal life, they just damage your ego or take up your time, or even land you in jail. The mask of pretending to be a Christian when you are not 100% sure, is a whole different story! Don’t let your pride or worry about what others will think keep you from acting on any conviction you have about making sure you are going to heaven. Yesterday in many pulpits, messages were delivered to congregations who were there seeking the way the truth and the light. If you were under any conviction whether to know for sure you will go to heaven when you die, or rededicate your life for Christ, don’t let anything stand in your way. You can go to your pastor, or just get down on your knees and pray for Jesus to forgive your sins, and come into your heart and be your Saviour. Then follow up with baptism, which is a public demonstration of your faith and a symbol of the cleansing of your soul. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. So you don’t have to hide behind a mask of any kind, just step forward and Jesus will be there to greet you with open arms. If you would like to know more here is a link that will answer your questions: www.compellingtruth.org
As parents it is our job to see beyond the mask our children put on. When they lie, or have a secret or a hurt they don’t know how to tell us. Don’t let them hide behind the mask of not knowing where they will spend eternity. Be ready with the answers they need to know about how to become a Child of God.
We as authors always have a ready answer for the problems of the characters in our stories. The problem is that it is merely a story, and not real life. Do you know the answers if a friend or a relative came to you and ask about eternity? Do you want to know for sure? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way the truth and the life, no man cometh to the father but by me.
In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
Luke 12:1-2
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Matthew 7:15
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Colossians 2:8
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
II Corinthians 4:2