October 18, 2007
was thinking this afternoon as I contemplated the Word and talked to one of our ministry leaders about a study she was doing. It brought to mind a few years ago when I was going through a rough spot.
We had a fight in the car on the way to worship, and I was upset because we were running late. We pulled into the church parking lot, everyone put on their church faces and when asked how we were everyone said "Fine." Actually, to be perfectly honest, that has happened more than once.
Now perhaps things like that never happen in your life, but they do occasionally happen in mine. I'm pretty certain that it's a universal thing because almost everyone I speak to knows exactly what I mean when I talk about putting on his/her church face.
When we do that, it's really a tragedy. You see, we're called to bear one another's burdens.
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 NIV
If we don't share others can't have the opportunity to minister. It also creates false expectations for new Christians. They see the people who have been coming to church for years wearing their church faces as if nothing ever goes wrong, and they wonder what is wrong in their own life because they face problems. Living the Christian life isn't a guarantee that we won't have problems. It is guarantee that God will help us through whatever problems we face.
The deception that we must have it all together is straight from the pit of hell. God never calls us to be perfect. That won't happen in our life on earth.
Nowhere in Scripture does it command us "thou shalt come unto the appointed place of worship wearing thine best church face". In fact some of Jesus harshest words were reserved for the Pharisees and their hypocrisy. Even the most godly people have difficulties at times, so let's not pretend otherwise. It doesn't help our witness, it only harms it.
God calls us to worship in spirit and in truth.
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. John 4:23-24 NIV
Our spirits can worship even when our lives seem to be falling apart. We don't need to pretend, we can go to God with whatever is on our hearts and worship. We can be crying out in despair because our life is falling apart and still worship God for who He is.
God looks upon you and knows you and sees you no matter what "face" you have on. He is spirit and looks on and in your spirit to see beyond your words, body language and feelings. He is most concerned over your heart condition and even if your intent is not to be honest in church; you will always be honest and open before God. He knows you, loves you and especially values your brokenness and openness.
Until next time, put away your church face and be real. Find a ministry or church where the real you can truly shine even amongst all your imperfections and battles. God has placed people in just the right place to help you and the spirit cries out in earnest for all we truly have need of. So be honest because God knows already.
Be blessed
Darrel Mason