“And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom we must answer.” Hebrews 4:13
Sisters in Christ,
It’s finally the fall season, and the stores are filling up with pumpkins, fall foliage, and costumes galore! I know my kiddos are so excited to choose what characters they’ll dress up as during all the fall festivities, and there’s a big chance we’ll have a few new masks to hide their true identities (though I’m hoping I can convince them to wear family costumes!). We can have such a fun time dressing up and being in character as our favorite superhero, but this picture of dressing up with masks and costumes makes me think of the less evident ways we hide our true selves to others, or even to the Lord.
Though we may not realize it, everyday we put on different costumes and masks. How many times do I try to cover and hide my exhaustion with another cup of coffee? How often do I attempt to disguise my worry or fear with a joke or sarcasm? How many times do I conceal the hurts that are really on my heart instead of sharing my needs for healing and prayer? How hard am trying to hide that sin that I still struggle with? Dressing up and hiding behind a mask can be exhausting and spiritually draining, but God reminds us that even when we are running away and at our end, He is El Roi, the “God who sees me."
In chapter 4 of Hebrews, we see beautiful themes of Jesus’ excellence, gracious forgiveness, and loving Lordship. The God who sees is able to see through our masks and facades. He not only sees through our costumes and hiding, but He also calls us into openness and complete surrender to His love and plan. Verse 13 of Hebrews tells us “All things are open and laid bare” and that no one is “hidden from His sight”. Our God sees us in the good, the bad, and the ugly, even if we’re trying to hide it away. He wants us to trust Him with all of it, being truly seen and known by Him.
When we’re exhausted and drained, God has given Sabbath rest for his people (Heb 4:9). When we’re stuck in a rut of hiding or complacency, God has given us His Word that cuts through the hardened soil of our hearts (Heb 4:12). When we are in need, God draws us near through His grace and mercy (Heb 4:16). We can be open and vulnerable before the Lord with every part of us, especially since He knows all of it anyway! I pray that we would take off our masks of self sufficiency and costumes of composure, so we can experience His answer of “Yes” and “Amen” (2 Cor 1:20).
In His grace, Jaime Angel