Everyone who knows me knows that I absolutely love birthday parties. Because my love language is gifts of course I want to create the perfect scenario for gifts to flow. Some of my favorite parties for my kids growing up were the ones we all dressed up as something that matched the theme. Rebekah loved wizard of oz when she was 3 and so we had the yellow brick road the dress and the shoes. For Rachel we had a princess party and all the little girls came dressed as if they lived in a castle and talked and waved as if they were royalty. No matter when or who we dress like we tend to take on their mannerisms, and their speech. If you are are dressed like a pirate you immediately go into arrrrrgh mode. It just happens. The reality of wearing mask is that we lose sight of who we are. Some of you wear the mask of approval addiction and you spend majority of your time, thoughts and actions running yourself ragged trying to get people to like you and approve of what your doing. For some of you it's the mask of shame and guilt and you walk in constant defeat. For others it's the mask of regret. The what if, should have could have plagues your mind and affects you moving forward in the things you know God has called you to today. For others it's the mask of perfection. You are exhausted trying to maintain this persona that you somehow have it all together and at the end of the day your mind races with all that you did wrong. For some men it could be the mask of porn. Your marriage and families are failing apart because you refuse to see that the mask you wear is sin and addiction. For those of you who have daughters remember that those images are also someone's daughter. The mask of pride will deafen the very voice of God because it feeds the ME desire. Everything about your fear of rejection, approval not measuring up all go back to self and that is pride. I remember a circus theme party we had for Rebekah when she was 8. We hired a clown and she did animal balloons, face painting and juggling. The juggling always fascinates me because we only have 2 hands yet somehow they are able to have 5-6 objects floating at one time. The problem with us trying to juggle so many mask at one time is that we never get a true picture of who God is and what His power can do in us and through us. Our eyes are locked on the circumstances that drown us, the fear that resonates within us. But Just like at the end of a party you eventually take the mask off and begin to clean up from the very environment you created. I believe today is the day you take that mask off. It's time to drop the juggling act let the mask fall from your grip and embrace these truths. You are forgiven. You are chosen. You are beautiful and created with a purpose and God only wants YOU to carry it out. You could never sin beyond the grace of God. In one moment of repentance and surrender you are free and you are made new. The cleaning up part is a process of Jesus making you look more like Him not you trying to make yourself look holy. Stop trying to measure up to the measuring stick established by the enemy. You are a masterpiece and God has BIG things for you to accomplish so take the mask off and JUST BE YOU!
Psalm 45:11 the King is enthralled by your beauty honor Him for He is your Lord.
Galatians 5:1 it is for FREEDOM that Christ has set you Free. Stand firm then and do NOT let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery-
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