"Masks"

Perhaps you have never thought about this but....
Unfortunately in our society, whether teen or adult we are encouraged to wear masks. This will be our topic this week at CXR/GAPP. As Pastor Mick talked aboout the Blessings of God on Sunday, I began to think of all the blessings that God has for us. Even through the tough times he is there with us, that is an awesome blessing that we sometimes glance over. He wants us to be authentic Christians, yet we continue to shortchange ourselves by trying to be too much like the world. Similar to wearing a physical mask, we put on a spiritual mask.
It is a hard thing to try to be consistant in an inconsistant world. A world that tells you that your value is not from God, but from wealth, status, how you look among others. Moreover, it is amazing that we underexpect God, and the gifts that he has given each one of us. i am really excited to see the direction of Pastor Mick's series on Blessings. Taking some time to read over the scripture from Sunday will be an awesome way of letting the words of scripture be our guide and not the culture around us. That same culture that encourages you and I to put on a mask, (you might call it a spiritual mask) and be someone that you are truly not. One excellent book that I have read (and re-read on occasion) is Josh McDowell's book, The New Tolerance. One of the focus scriptures in this book is Ephesians 5:1-2. The scripture talks of being imitators of God, who created us, not of the world.
Sobering words in a world that teaches us to terate everything, and as I see in ministry it is occuring younger and younger.
Know that God has some awesome things planned for you and I. This week as you pray, focus on God's grace for us, and if the masks that this world has encouraged you to wear is a burden for you, give it over to God!
PJ