Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we're not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times. We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don't maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don't twist God's Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God. (4:1-2)
Paul's statements here are huge. Monumental. Foreign to us and opposite to the way we often live. Most of us aren't like Paul, refusing to wear a mask. At times, we're not even aware that we have placed a mask on our face for protection from exposure to any discomfort or pain. Masks that take the form of competence, denial, strength, victimhood, peace, hyper-spirituality, servanthood, even radical ministry.
“For many Christians, denial has become a habit. Chronic denial as a means of coping leads to a stiffness and rigidity that may for a time masquerade as emotional stability. People who are neither excitable nor moody can look very spiritual. The evidence of their immaturity is unmistakable, however; people who deny how they really feel typically are unable to enter and touch another person’s life deeply. Because they have sealed off deep parts within themselves, they can neither discern nor properly deal with deep parts in others.” Larry Crabb, Understanding People
Here are some great questions from Crabb that can help us begin to live more like Paul - unmasked and vulnerable before our generous God:
- What deep parts of yourself have you sealed off from others?
- How has trying to appear “stable” or “spiritual” hindered your ability to touch someone else’s life deeply?
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