Westside Church of Christ

Jack-o-lanterns decorate the landscape, pumpkin-flavored everything is everywhere, and the time for ghosts and goblins is here. It is the season to dress up, present ourselves as something we are not and satisfy our sweet tooth. It is a world of make-believe, and it is all in good fun but we always have to return to reality.

Do we sometimes hide behind a mask? It may be an “I am fine” costume when the truth is far different. Are we honest, even with ourselves? The word of God describes the human condition as one that is blemished by sin. There are no exceptions (1 John 1:8). It is a humbling fact that we are reluctant to face, but face it we must.

Scripture holds a mirror up to our souls. No mask can cover our inner self from the Lord. He knows and we should, too. The scars of the battle are there, hidden beneath a cloak of embarrassment. We do not want our brothers and sisters to know the wars that we fight. They would reveal a less-than-perfect self which we would rather keep secret. So, we bury them behind a smile and our Sunday best. What would people think if they knew the truth?

True, some would judge. It is the nature of the world to do so, but sincere children of God are different. We do not come together because we are flawless but because we aren’t. We fight temptation and fail. We stumble. Sometimes the collapse shatters us. It is hard to face and even harder to admit. So, we don’t. The guilt grows, and we put the mask on one more time. The masquerade continues. “Fine, how are you?”

The Son of God came because we are imperfect pilgrims who lose our way. We take simple unleavened bread and grape juice each Sunday to remind us of the covenant of forgiveness. His life sacrificed for our transgressions. We see the cross with revitalized faith. He did that for me. I do not have to hide from Him, because He knows all that I’ve done and loves me anyway.

The poverty of our spirit jolts us. It is easy to forget that the kingdom of heaven is for people just like us. It is hard to face our feebleness. We know we should do better. The Lord’s Supper is a moment of reflection, not only on Him but also on ourselves. We must look inward (1 Corinthians 11:28). We must not hide our worldly stains but seek the Lord who can wash them away. Our crimes and His cross motivate us to repent. It is the way that leads home. People, even Christians, can be unforgiving. Thank the Lord that we can come openly and honestly without a mask to the throne of grace and mercy in our time of need. A compassionate Lord waits for us there.