Another Day Along the Way
Another day,
The word "saint" doesn't fit a description of my life. For a day highlighting saints, I think of others. Their sacrifices, their commitment, their humility, their prayers.
The word "masks" seems to fit us all a little better, though. We pretend to be what we aren't; we dress up to portray ourselves as we wish-or as others wish-we could become. For a day when many in our culture highlight costumes, I think of us.
Those of us who seek to please our Maker play both of those days at once. In our inner desires to become more saintly, we find appropriate masks to pretend we're better than we really are. We attempt to cover reality with the fashion of religion. Like Adam and Eve, we think we might go unnoticed. And like Adam and Eve, we are wrong.
Trying a different strategy can help. What if we take off our masks and admit to the Observer what we're really like? Since He knows already, what can it hurt? Call it confession.
Then, maybe we can add a sincere apology for not living up to His instructions or our own inner desires. Shift from present direction and turn toward a new venture. Call it repentance.
Next, ask for His help to turn us into the people, the saints, He desires we become. Instead of ranking ourselves far below former saints in our history books, ask the Saint Maker to rework Himself into us.
Sound good? Or, are you still unsure of how to get it to happen? Think of it this way. Imagine yourself going to His porch, knocking, and seeing Him open the door. Hear His voice welcome you and offer to serve you the sweetest tasting health food around if you will only take off the mask and admit what you are really like.
Go ahead. Give it a try. He is preparing a table. Knock on the door. Enter. Taste and see. Be yourself. Ask for more. Be born all over again.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Prayer Surrendered: (Psalm 51:7, The Message)
Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life.
The word "saint" doesn't fit a description of my life. For a day highlighting saints, I think of others. Their sacrifices, their commitment, their humility, their prayers.
The word "masks" seems to fit us all a little better, though. We pretend to be what we aren't; we dress up to portray ourselves as we wish-or as others wish-we could become. For a day when many in our culture highlight costumes, I think of us.
Those of us who seek to please our Maker play both of those days at once. In our inner desires to become more saintly, we find appropriate masks to pretend we're better than we really are. We attempt to cover reality with the fashion of religion. Like Adam and Eve, we think we might go unnoticed. And like Adam and Eve, we are wrong.
Trying a different strategy can help. What if we take off our masks and admit to the Observer what we're really like? Since He knows already, what can it hurt? Call it confession.
Then, maybe we can add a sincere apology for not living up to His instructions or our own inner desires. Shift from present direction and turn toward a new venture. Call it repentance.
Next, ask for His help to turn us into the people, the saints, He desires we become. Instead of ranking ourselves far below former saints in our history books, ask the Saint Maker to rework Himself into us.
Sound good? Or, are you still unsure of how to get it to happen? Think of it this way. Imagine yourself going to His porch, knocking, and seeing Him open the door. Hear His voice welcome you and offer to serve you the sweetest tasting health food around if you will only take off the mask and admit what you are really like.
Go ahead. Give it a try. He is preparing a table. Knock on the door. Enter. Taste and see. Be yourself. Ask for more. Be born all over again.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Prayer Surrendered: (Psalm 51:7, The Message)
Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life.
