Removing The Masks

Nothing is more destructive to our growth and sobriety than hypocrisy, the wearing of masks - particularly masks of false piety. Masks keep us from being straight about who we are, prevent others from seeing us, set up barriers and make true fellowship impossible. (Quote from the Life Recovery Bible)

In the book of Mark it speaks about false piety, and I get that, I see it quite a bit, but I always go back to the scripture about why you see the speck in your brothers eye when you have a plank in your own. In my mind I can't judge others but I can help myself and others see the masks we wear and try to help remove them. I know because I wore one for such a long time.

To be authentic and be really free we need to be real, and choose who we can be really real with. I have a couple of guys that I speak to regularly, one who I have known for more than 25 years. We are truly real with each other there are no holds barred and when I finish talking to them there is a feeling of true freedom.

Knowing that allows me to be better with others, in that when I speak with them also I can be me and say whats on my mind unless it is hurtful to them in a "pious" way. I was that way with someone else recently and I tell you that to this day I feel like it was one of the best series of conversations I have ever had. An expression of faith, love and sincerity poured out from me like a pitcher of sweet tea.

And what I heard back from that person came out the same way, even exposing some of my flaws, but in a sincere and loving way.  The masks came down and the truth came out and it was again, freeing. And I realized that after 41 years of sobriety God has truly transformed my heart. Still got some issues to resolve but now I am me, the one God intended for me to be, the authentic Glenn.

Now, armed with no masks, I can embark on the good ship reality, tossing aside the waves of fantasy, and the storms of hypocrisy, sailing into the wind of freedom. 

Man that feels good, thank you Lord!