AUTHENTIC

Thanks to the pandemic, I have several face masks hanging next to my car keys. Even though mask mandates have been lifted, I still don a face mask when I venture out to run errands. I have gotten used to wearing a face mask; I feel protected from the virus and its numerous descendants.?

If we are truly honest with ourselves though, we would admit that we have been wearing masks throughout our life, and still do - from time to time.?

How much or how little do we reveal of our true self? Are we comfortable talking about our pain, wounds, brokenness or disappointments? Or do we hide behind our mask to protect ourselves from further wounds and pretend that we are perfect?

We may be able to fool others with our camouflaged self, but we cannot fool God. God knows us better than we know ourselves. God wants to heal our wounds and restore us to the best version of ourselves. God can see right through our masks, but He does not force His love and mercy; instead, like the good father of the prodigal son, he waits for us patiently to return home where He wants to lavish on us countless spiritual blessings and graces.

Each of us is the sinful repentant prodigal son; each of us is also the elder judgmental self-righteous son. We need to become vulnerable - spiritually - and allow our heavenly Father to embrace us as His beloved children. We need to be authentic. We need to claim that certificate of authenticity as dutiful beloved children of God. We need to remove the mask and peel away the many layers until our true self is fully revealed and visible.?

It is only when we stop relying on our own strength and recognize our need for God that we can begin to heal. We need to swim against the current of a society that encourages pride and superficiality, and instead rely on God and His grace in every aspect of our life. Without God, we can do nothing. When we let the Holy Spirit guide our decisions and direct our actions, we have the certainty of being on the right path, the path of healing and the abundant life which is a prelude for eternal life.?