Wearing Masks - Jewell Utt
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)
I’m Ok, You’re Ok is a resource used in my Psychology class years ago. Its title and classroom discussions left me with the impression that everyone’s personal philosophy is acceptable. As a young adult, the seeming prejudices of older society turned me off. Uptight about so many things, their solution was always another rule.
Ripe for the challenges of the future, I determined to embrace all people and ideas with my open mind. I came to realize those views contradict the Biblical message of vigilance. It’s important to be alert among the masses. Often I would stifle an uneasy feeling to make someone else feel accepted. Ignoring all red flags, I’d travel along with them. In the end, I’d always discover they were NOT OK. Parental concerns weren’t prejudices after all, but insightful protection.
The Holy Spirit nudges you and I to be on guard for a reason. All people are not about peace, hope and reconciliation. Some are intent on harm, discord and evil motivation. It is important to establish boundaries and to pay attention when things don’t seem quite right. This is a time of national terrorism and constant personal threat. Gone are the days of Mayberry.
October is a month we expect to see people in disguise. But how alert are we to the Masks they wear on a regular basis? Recent attacks on crowds and individuals, reveal perpetrators no one imagined would do such a thing. Masks allow evil to hide in plain sight, grafted casually into our neighborhoods.
It is important to remember that everyone and everything is Not Okay. But to also, guard ourselves from wearing masks that are displeasing to God.
We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God. 2Cor 4:2 (MSG)
