Last week my son’s family visited me. We had a good time visiting relatives and riding their 4-wheelers and horse. When the family went home on Monday, one of my grandsons stayed with me for a week of basketball camp at Whitworth University. We didn’t have too much time together, but it was good.
Every morning I got up to make our lunches, care for kitties, get ready for work and drop off my grandson at camp. Then I raced to work. One of those mornings, I shocked myself and nearly went back home when I realized I’d forgotten to put makeup on my face. Oh no! How could I go to work with a NAKED FACE? But the clock told me I’d run out of time. I proceeded onward.
As I walked in the door, turned on my computer and the day progressed, no one noticed my lack of face paint. No gasps of stunned surprise. The roof did not fall in. I was able to do my work.
The Naked Face
Sometimes the unexpected happens, like forgetting my makeup, and I end up pondering what I thought was important. As I’m getting older, I think my face needs help. Yet no one noticed. Why do we feel the need to cover up who we are when we step out into the world for the day? God is not ashamed of His creations, but we want to improve what He has done.
It takes courage to let other people see who we really are under all the trappings. We put a lot of importance on the outward appearance: fashion, working out, involvement in activities, what we eat and drink. Is it a matter of hiding behind the look we want to convey to the world? What happens when we let down that standard and let others see who we are? Will they notice a difference? Perhaps showing what we really look like will not be the disaster we envision.
Behind the Naked Face
It takes courage to be honest about who we really are and show what’s behind our naked faces. What do others need to see about us that might encourage them in their walk of life? Things we keep hidden because we are afraid of rejection or not measuring up somehow?
But when we do forget the makeup and meet people authentically, we find that we have much more in common than we imagined. As we open those things that others need to see about us, who knows what friendships might bloom, what concerns might be ironed out, what roads may open wide before us?
Perhaps God knows and has prepared those roads for us. And all it takes is to reveal our face.
“They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads” Revelation 22:4.
Great post, Sis! I have found that by letting others see who I am, they are more willing to open up, too. Relationships become better; ministry becomes effective.
Yes, I have found the same thing. Thanks for your encouragement, Sis.