When I lived in Bolivia one of my favorite places to visit was Museum Mascara, or the Mask Museum. Within its walls were hundreds of masks that represented various culture traditions, rituals, and people groups in the country. It was a fascinating place! Each mask was different and had distinct features, colors, and ornamentations. What I enjoyed most about the museum was looking at the masks and imagining the story behind them. Each mask depicted a warrior, jester, god, or some other folklore character. I sometimes stood there and imagined how a humble Bolivian farmer would become a mighty warrior by simply putting on a mask.
Masks cover, hide, and disguise. They conceal what’s really underneath and portray a different message. As Christian leaders, we are very vulnerable to the temptation of wearing an emotional or spiritual mask. I know I am. Often our desire is to portray strength, even when we are suffering, confidence when we are fearful, and peace though our world is full of chaos. At times it just seems easier to put on the mask of having it all together, rather than reveal our struggles and admit our weaknesses.
As we begin to wrestle with how to pursue God’s ways in our life, work, and ministry, one danger we all must face is our tendency to pretend to have it all together. (The temptation to make our lives or ministry appear perfect, organized, orderly and successful. )
Here are three thoughts to guide our reflection.
1) What are we covering in our hiding?
Our weaknesses. We don’t want anyone to see our weaknesses. We all have them in our lives, and it is easy to apply a mask to cover them. For some it stems from past wounds, for others it is a lack of confidence or the fear of failure that they seek to cover. Thus, we hide behind a mask to create an outward image completely different from the people we know ourselves to be.
In the Bible we see Jesus calling out the religious elite for this action. He said they were “whitewashed tombs” (Matthew 23:27). On the outside they looked good, but there was a chasm between their outward appearances and their hearts. They were dead on the inside! [1]
What are some of the reasons you wear a “mask” that says you have it all together?
2) What are we seeking in our hiding?
We hide to look flawless, efficient, and wise. We seek to portray a tidy home, perfect parenting, and intelligent leadership. But in this great cover up what is it that we are actually seeking? I think it is approval and acceptance. The truth is we change who we are around different people because we long to be worthy, approved of, and accepted.
I have found it to be true in my life. I struggled as a youth to be accepted by some of my closest friends, and over the years I have seen it creep in and out of my life and leadership. I realize I battle it with my sermons and the desire to measure up. I have battled it in my need for words of affirmation. I have battled it in my sensitivity to criticism. I know it is there, but in some situations it is still hard to not hide behind a mask of confidence.
3) What are we forsaking in our hiding?
When we don’t reveal our shortcomings and choose to cover up our fears and failures, we actually keep ourselves from feeling God’s love. So we miss out on the grace that God gives to accept us in our failures.
“God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
He chose to give us the gift of grace, not because of our perfection, but because of His, because of Jesus’ perfect work on the cross declaring, “It is finished!” [2]
Brothers and sisters, when we hide behind our emotional and spiritual masks, refusing to let others see our weaknesses, we miss the redeeming love of Jesus. He didn’t rescue you because you were so creative, beautiful, efficient, and patient. He came and got you because His love is abundant. sup>[2]
Take off the mask!
The trouble with our mask is that when we wear it all of the time we end up lying to ourselves and to God. The cover up actually prevents us from growing and receiving healing in the areas we need it most. Our weaknesses. As Christian leaders we must learn to take off our masks at appropriate times and to appropriate people in order for God to work on those areas of brokenness that we might grow, learn and be healed by God.
If we want to be leaders who pursue God’s ways, we must be willing to be vulnerable. We must be willing to admit that our sin is great but God’s love is greater. Do you have people in your life that you can talk with about your areas of weakness? People who can help you share in your struggles and encourage you and point you to Jesus along the journey?
It’s time to strip off the masks and stop pretending. It’s time to admit we have a messy kitchen and an even messier heart. Jesus is waiting to step into our ruin, our shame, our secrets, and our flaws and to bring comfort to the hurting, hope to the depressed, and acceptance to the humiliated. You are loved just as you are, so be empowered in realizing there is no reason to hide! [3]
Growth Point:
Healthy leaders refuse to wear masks hiding their weaknesses, because they refuse to miss the abundant love of Jesus.
Scripture Point:
Read Psalms 139:23-24. Ask God to search your heart and reveal the masks that you are hiding behind.
Action Point:
Be willing to share your real self. Be vulnerable to someone you trust, making a commitment to accountability and vulnerability.
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