245 – Sol has it totally together right? Wrong

#faithbites #faithjourney together

Scrolling through Facebook, you see wonderful pictures of vacations, well-behaving kids, promotions, houses, cars, and new opportunities. You go to work and ask “How are you doing, Buddy”? The response is anywhere from great to ok to just ducky, maybe no response. Then you look at yourself and feel that something must be wrong, because everyone has their stuff together, and you don’t. Guess what? You’re wrong. No one has their stuff together. This #faithbite is strongly influenced by our sermon today: Jesus on the Move – Inside Out.

I love superheroes and one thing most have in common is a mask they wear. In the comics and movies, they wear it to protect their loved ones from evil-doers who may harm them. They try to stay hidden while doing good work. Imagine the good work and trust that could be built if the hero didn’t have to fear and could show his or her true identity.

I am far from having my stuff together. To use a phrase of the day: I’m a hot mess. The truth though, is we are all hot messes. None of us have it together and none of us can do it by ourselves. In fact, when we act like we can, that’s yet another mask we wear. The I am so strong I don’t need anybody but I’m crumbling inside.

Here’a video we watched today that is funny and sad. It is how we perceive others and how we think others want to be perceived.

What mask are you wearing and why?

Scripture on Having it All Together

• These people come near to me with their mouth
      and honor me with their lips,
      but their hearts are far from me.
  Their worship of me
      is based on merely human rules they have been taught.
  Therefore once more I will astound these people
      with wonder upon wonder;
  the wisdom of the wise will perish,
      the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish. – Isaiah 29:13-14

• You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

  And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)— then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

Reflection

“I’m a good Christain so ……..”. “If I go to church every Sunday, I’m doing it right”. “If I check all the boxes off, I’m in God’s good graces”. The funny thing is, all of these statements are usually false. Those who say they are a good Christian, usually follow up with a statement that isn’t Christ-like. Those who check the boxes and worship with their lips but not their heart are doing a disservice.

When I was in college, I dated a Catholic girl and when to mass almost every Sunday for a while. When I saw people crossing themselves, it looked, in my opinion, to be half-assed. It looked like they were doing the motions but not feeling it. Of course, I can’t say for sure, but it’s what I felt. Many said it was an accurate description.

I try to be honest in #faithbites and in my life in general. My life is a hot mess and I look for guidance and support. I don’t need to hide my mental illnesses or my physical illnesses. Only God’s judgment matters. But like everyone else, I have a mask up at times. I’m working to truly know who I am, so I can share it.

I am the guy, when you ask ‘how are you doing’, will give you a 10-minute story. Then I feel bad for it as the person who asked probably didn’t want the truth. I wish I knew when the person really wanted the ‘everything is peachy answer’ and when they really cared and wanted the truth.

Charge

The first step in making a change is admitting there is something that needs to be changed. Do you have it all together? If you do, stop reading this and go about your day. If you don’t, admit it, and see how you can go about changing that. Next, think about a small mask you wear. Then try with a few people to remove that mask. This shows your true nature and your true nature is beautiful.

Lord, help me to show my brokenness. Help me to remove any masks I have and let me be ok with the fact that I don’t, nor will I ever, have my stuff together. You help me become more whole and together.