Masquerade (verb): to disguise oneself; assume the appearance of something one is not; pretend to be someone or something else
Synonyms: act, charade, façade, pretense, disguise
The day of great masquerading is upon us! A day when children and adults dress in costumes, put on masks, and express their creativity through disguises.
As I pondered the activities of Halloween, my mind wandered into an imaginary land of masquerades. A place where people wear masks at all times, and no one truly knows the “real” person behind the mask. Perhaps this fantasy is not far from reality. Somewhere along the way, our culture has condoned masquerading and many of us participate in it often throughout our days.
Growing up watching Scooby-Doo cartoons and Mission Impossible movies, I was exposed to the amazing usefulness of masks. In these shows, the person in disguise couldn’t even be recognized until the big reveal at the end of the show. It seems only natural that I try to do the same in my own life… to put on a mask when a need arises.
A need for what?
- A need to hide from shame or guilt at a family gathering.
- A need to please someone else in a way that is not authentic to me while I volunteer.
- A need to cover up embarrassment or self-consciousness in my place of worship.
- A need to appear prettier or more feminine at a public social event.
- A need to protect my beliefs from disagreement or rebuke in the workplace.
So many reasons to put on a mask! I recently chatted online with someone I used to work with a few years ago. One of her statements shined a big bright light on my mask; she wrote “I think I misunderstood you (when we worked together)”. The thing is, she couldn’t really understand me when I was wearing a mask. And because of that, we missed out on having an authentic relationship.
I know I’m not alone in the mask-wearing business. Other people’s reasons might be different than mine, but the perceived usefulness of the mask remains the same.
One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. Proverbs 13:7
People aren’t the only ones pretending. The Bible tells us that even Satan and his servants do this.
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15
As soon as I think about the masks I wear, I shake my head in disappointment. My heart immediately recognizes that this is not what God intends for my life. God knows me without my masks and loves me.
When I put on a mask, I cover up His creation. Oh, how that must dishearten Him.
He created me to be uniquely me, not to put a mask on and be a fake someone else. One of my favorite quotes from Bob Goff says this: “God’s never looked in your mirror and wished that He saw someone else.”
Or in my own words: God’s never looked in your mirror and wished for you to put on a mask!
As I searched scripture for further understanding of masquerade ~ the word itself doesn’t have many references in the Bible ~ a story came to mind: Peter’s denial of Christ. The account of Peter’s denial is found in all four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). The summary of the story: Peter is a disciple of Jesus, has been by his side for three years, and at the time of Jesus’ arrest (which will lead to his crucifixion), Peter’s “pretending” begins. Peter is confronted by other people on three occurrences; as they question him about knowing Jesus, Peter vigorously denies it each time.
Peter masquerades as a stranger to Jesus. He hides his relationship with Christ behind a mask.
Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. Luke 22:60-62
The statement burning straight into my soul: “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.” I can feel God looking at me the same way. Now I’m asking myself these questions:
- Am I hiding my relationship with Christ behind a mask?
- Can masquerading really achieve His purpose?
- Does concealing my true self glorify God?
- Is the light of Christ within me stifled by my mask?
Perhaps for this Halloween, rather than putting on a mask, I will choose to remove one.
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For further inspiration, listen to Casting Crowns song “Stained Glass Masquerade”.