{masks}

"A rose by any other name is still a rose." A mask by any other name is....well, today, that depends on who you listen to. To some it is just that, a mask; to others it is an infringement of their personal freedoms and liberties. One state has mandated that you wear them everywhere in public, while another has merely reminded everyone that is it best practice (so you know they aren't wearing them).Today 20+ states have a mandate of some kind, regarding wearing mask, while one state's AG is suing the governor formaking any mandates regarding COVID19. Stores are making it part of their guidelines (no shoes, no shirt, no mask, no service), but very few are enforcing it. School guidelines for the fall are saying that they will be required, causing a division of uncertainty with parents (great idea, horrible idea, have them practice now, I am not buying any, I just won't send them) and teachers (they will sneeze in them and then what, they won't keep them on, they will pull each others off, who is going to buy them). What should be an act of selflessness to protect yourself and those around you, has become a political statement.

I urge you, brothers, o watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. -Romans 16:17

There is so much division in our country right now, and its such a great divide. We have always had some type of "cause" to be rallied, but this is different, for this has brought out more than unrest, this is ushering in pure evil. In France, a bus driver was beaten for asking two patrons to put on their masks before boarding the bus. He died a few days later. The criminals claimed noone could infringe on their personal rights and make them wear a mask. But they felt justified in literally beating a man to death. The sad part is they most likely did not see the irony in their actions.

But my question is just this...how often do we hide behind masks? Not the big fancy Mardi Gras masks, Thespian masks or even the plastic Halloween ones that we grew up with, that we would don in order to transform into Wonder Woman and Superman with no hope of being able to breath and see at the same time.....(and breathe). No, I'm talking about the invisible masks we were everyday...maybe several throughout the day.

So, I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you. -Matthew 25:25

Fear is what makes us look at our mask collection when the first tug of adversity comes our way. Just imagine fear like the sun and our masks as sunglasses. When things get too bright we have to put on those sunglasses to see. We can still see through them, just like we see through the sin and shame we may be hiding behind our masks .We've all had that moment when we are driving toward the setting sun and its brightness blots out everything else. Our reaction..... sheer panic. I don't know about you, but I'd much rather that sun represent the love of God. Sometimes life gets so big, God's enveloping brightness is there to remind us, at the very moment, as always, He is there. Next time you drive into that blinding sun, remember its God's arms wrapped around you. And as you see the sunset, well that's when He is checking to make sure everything is perfect in the place He has prepared for you.