Recognition

Today is a big day at Whitney’s school. All the teachers are putting on a drive-thru parade for all the children. They will certainly adhere to the CDC guidelines, but the issue that the teachers were having was that the “children would not be able to recognize their teachers while wearing masks.” Teachers are the […]

Today is a big day at Whitney’s school. All the teachers are putting on a drive-thru parade for all the children. They will certainly adhere to the CDC guidelines, but the issue that the teachers were having was that the “children would not be able to recognize their teachers while wearing masks.” Teachers are the best around at adjusting and adapting in a moment’s notice. Their solution was to make “fatheads” of their own faces without masks so the children would be able to recognize them from a distance. Brilliant, right?
I can not wait to see a video of this parade, because those fatheads are so big that you would be able to see them from space.
Throughout life, we all tend to wear masks from time to time. The freedom that comes from unleashing the disguises (masks) provides the true you.

16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
(Matthew 7:16-20 NIV)

When others see or think about you, what do they see? What do they recognize? What fruit are you producing? Reflecting on Matthew 7, I have been challenged by being a transparent Christian. What is the true you?
Masks can certainly be used to prevent sickness and disease, but when we talk about masking our heart and mind, there is no good that comes from that, and we prolong the inevitable. Let’s all learn a valuable lesson from the Master…
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:7-10 NIV)

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