I’ve almost forgotten what an entire human face looks like and sometimes, in all honesty, I’m thankful for that.
It’s not that the faces I was used to seeing, often on a daily basis, weren’t handsome or beautiful, it’s just that current health conditions demand that we don masks in order to provide a measure of safety to ourselves and to those around us.
As foreign as it was and now, as common as it is, I have developed a genuine sense of appreciation for those who are not only obeying legal requirements but defending community protection.
Also, I’ve been amused at some of the ingenious mask designs that portray wearers as animals, as grinning big-toothed beasts and even, as wild and snarling “whatevers.”
Though we recognize the purpose of masks during this pandemic, I have been thinking of how, too often, we wear masks of other kinds. These are not meant to protect us from COVID but rather to protect us from ourselves. Here’s what Alex Gaskarth said:
“Be real, because a mask only fools people on the outside. Pretending to be someone you're not takes a toll on the real you, and the real you is more important than anyone else.”
In my musings, two things jumped out at me: first, we are never hidden from God’s eyes and second, in calling out to Him not to hide His face from us, we find comfort and peace.
“Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my distress!” Psalm 102:2 (Amplified)
“God keeps an eye on His friends, His ears pick up every moan and groan.” Psalm 34:15 (The Message)
Though there are many times in life when we can’t see or understand, there’s deep solace in knowing that He loves us unconditionally and He never pretends or wears a mask.
