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Take Off the Mask

           During our family vacation to New York we attended the Broadway production, “The Phantom of the Opera.”  It is the longest running play in history on Broadway.

            The Phantom, who is known as the Opera Ghost, terrorizes the Paris Opera House and lives in the sewers beneath the streets.  This mysterious individual is no ghost, but a musical genius who dwells in the shadows and wears a mask.

            The purpose of the mask is to cover a deformity from birth.  He wears this mask to hide his disfigured face from the cruel stares of others.  Like this Phantom many wear masks today.  It is not a physical mask, but we mask insecurities, failures, and our own insufficiencies. 

            Many times in the New Testament Church we wear a religious mask.  We cover up what really needs to be uncovered in our lives.  When God uncovers something in our lives it is never to harm us, but to bring restoration and healing.

            The altars of our churches should be places of healing and hope.  We should as the Body of Christ be able to come to the altar of the Lord and receive healing and deliverance for those things that hold us in bondage.  The altar should be a safe place to share in confidence those things that need healing in our lives.

            Sadly, that is not the case.  Most of us would be reluctant to share what is really in our hearts today for fear of betrayal, criticism and gossip.  What will others think?  What will others say about what I share and submit for prayer? 

            What prevents us?  We are wearing a mask.  What is the purpose of this mask?  To give the illusion that everything in our lives is under control.  What kind of mask are you wearing today?  What are you covering?

            Proverbs 28:13 reveals, “He that covers His sin shall not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”  It is time to allow the Holy Spirit to unmask those things in our lives that keep us from realizing God’s highest will and purpose. 

            Hebrews 12:1 reads, “..let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”  May we allow the precious Holy Spirit to uncover those things that would trip us up in our walk of faith and hinder our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. 

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