Hiding Behind a Mask
Everywhere you go people are wearing masks.
We are nearing the end of a pandemic that has changed our world in so many ways.
I’m not saying that you should not wear a mask.
But, hasn’t this experience demonstrated to you how important it is to see people’s expressions behind the mask.
To be able to look on their face.
To hold a normal conversation where you can hear them clearly,
and discern each expression.
I’m sure you are aware of the plight of Job. Near the end of the book, Job is trying to figure out why God is not speaking to him,
Job 31:33-34 (KJV) If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom: 34 Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?
In Job 31, Job gives his “declaration of innocence”
This was a common practice in legal proceedings in Job’s time if you were appealing to a judge for a public hearing.
This swearing of an oath took on great significance.
Up until this point, Job has been distraught that God has been silent.
By swearing to this oath of innocence,
Job hopes to turn any continued silence by God to his advantage.
In an oath of innocence, you are the defendant.
You are appealing your side of an issue.
The issue is a truth that we believe needs to be expressed so that others can see our side.
People only see what they see, and you see what you see.
So, there’s an attempt here to bring the two sides together.
This may sound a little convoluted but there’s a point here.
If there is a Barrier between you and someone else,
there will always be an attempt to bring the two sides together.
When there is an obvious barrier between you or someone else,
you either have one because of a misunderstanding or because you’re trying to hide something.
Either way, the barrier blocks communication.
I. Masks are Barriers
So, let’s make this idea relevant for today.
Everywhere you go people are wearing masks.
We are nearing the end of a pandemic that has changed our world in so many ways.
One of the most obvious is the requirement to wear a mask in public.
These masks are physical and are intended to keep the virus from spreading to or from the mask wearer.
We have gotten quite clever with these masks.
Some wear flag mask, flower masks, silly mask with cat faces or dog faces.
We have political mask that express our opinions.
We have masks that show our loyalty and identity to various teams.
We have solid colored mask for those that want to stay neutral.
And of course, we have the surgical mask because we did not buy or forgot our cloth one at home, and we picked up the free one at the store.
Whatever the mask we are wearing today, we are wearing them to protect ourselves from the outside dangers that may lurk.
And we wear them to protect others from anything we may have that could harm others.
Either way, a mask is a barrier.
I found an interesting poem by Anna J. Arredondo
Intruders Beware
If you but knew what weakness lies concealed
Within this adamantine outer shell—
What woes, what worries I’m too proud to tell;
If you but once should tiptoe past this shield,
Sidestep the anger I so fiercely wield
In my defense; if you should break the spell,
Subdue the guards, and dip into the well
Of insecurities therein revealed;
I say, if you could catch me thus unsteeled:
One gentle smile my deepest fears would quell;
One loving glance from you—what hopes would swell—
One touch, and all within me would be healed.
__Instead I growl, “Keep out! That’s all I ask,”
__Then hate you for not seeing past my mask.
by Anna J. Arredondo
Wow! Doesn’t that sound like some people?
You wear a mask and I’m supposed to understand what’s behind that mask.
We have trouble with this because most of us live in our own head and we can’t see past “the nose on our face”. Or the mask on our face.
We only see our own issues and problems and can’t see others and their need.
Ephesians 2:14 (KJV) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Galatians 3:28 (KJV) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
II. Masks keep us from service to others
General William Booth, of the Salvation Army’s, wanted to send a word of encouragement and direction to his officers around the world. Wanting to be thrifty yet make his message clear, the general sent this one-word telegram: “Others.”
Christian service is built around doing for others
and you can’t do that with a barrier between you and someone else.
Matthew 7:12 (KJV) Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
1 Peter 3:8-9 (KJV) Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
It’s a Christian duty and privilege to serve others in the kingdom of God.
Make me a blessing Lord!
I want to bless others so they can be encouraged.
I want them to be encouraged so that they can cross the finish line in this life and make it to heaven.
Galatians 5:13 (KJV) For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
When I was in the military and we would run in formation,
it was drilled into us to make sure everyone made it and finished the run.
If anyone lagged behind, we would drop back and pull them up.
Nobody was left behind.
Proverbs 11:30 (KJV) The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
I don’t want to see anyone left behind.
My hope is that everyone I know will make it to heaven.
That’s what the mindset of Service to others will do for you.
You will get out from behind the mask and be real with people.
III. Masks keep us from true fellowship
It’s a beautiful thing to be a Christian. God brings us not only into fellowship with him but to other believers.
Isn’t it wonderful to be in fellowship with other believers?
Isn’t it great to have somebody you can talk to?
When you’re going through problems isn’t it great to have somebody with, “skin on”?
I’m sure you heard the story of the little girl who was in bed and in the middle of the night had a nightmare. She called her mother and asked her to stay with her a while. The mother, wanting to get back to sleep, tried to comfort her by saying that Jesus would be watching over her and that he would protect her. The little girl said, “I believe that mother, but right now I would like someone with skin on.”
I believe in God;
I believe in the Holy Spirit’s comforting presence.
There is nothing like it.
But sometimes you just need someone with skin on.
To be able to look them in the eyes and see the expression on their face as they express comfort.
That’s difficult to do with a mask on.
This pandemic has changed a lot of our lives.
I had to do a funeral just a few weeks into the first shutdown.
It is difficult to express your sorrow and concern for others with a barrier on your face.
Several times I remove my mask so people can see my concern and love for them. I know that it may have been dangerous.
I realize that others would tell me that I was wrong and not following the rules. But what was more important was that the bereaved were comforted.
I was willing to take that chance because people are important to God.
And therefore, they are important to me.
1 Corinthians 1:9-10 (KJV) God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Philippians 2:1-4 (KJV) If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Conclusion:
Again, I’m not saying that you should not wear a mask out in public during this pandemic.
But, through this experience,
it dawned on me how important it is to see people’s expressions.
To be able to look on their face.
To hold a normal conversation where you can hear them clearly,
and discern each expression.
It is very important that we communicate and fellowship.
No man is an island.
We need each other.
This is more evident now than it has ever been.
Ephesians 4:22-24 (KJV) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
