Sometimes I feel like Mulan. I feel the need to hide myself and the flaws that society dictates about my person. But more than that, this mask is a way to please. The mask allows me to become stronger. This illusion is as much a symbol of my lack in confidence as it is a sign of wanting to make my Father proud.
It may not be an outright show, but maybe you’ve felt the need to perform to the highest of expectations more than you’ve truly felt called to do something. This sort of guilt to do the right thing or be the best, rather than wanting to do good for the sake of doing good.
There are days when I stress myself out to the extreme, wanting to perform better than the day before. But we don’t have to pretend for God. We don’t have to put on a show. We don’t have to stress ourselves out by being anything other than our genuine selves. He knows all that we do, and all that we are. He loves us unconditionally and infinitely. He is the peace to our stress. He is the love to our self-hate. He is in awe of us as much as we are of Him.
He tells us that we are good enough. We are worthy of love, and we don’t have to earn it for it was freely given. God loves us without fail. He loves us with our sins, despite our doubts, because of all that we are and all that we will be.
We must be careful that our faithfulness to God doesn’t become work, mindless or otherwise. You have nothing to prove, and nothing to fear. Rest in Him. God’s peace can manifest any time, any place. His peace comes from a place of true, undiluted love. So, “let’s get down to business…”
Father God, Prince of Peace and Lord of Lords. Help us find serenity in ourselves as works of your creation. We are who you intended us to be. Shower us with your grace Lord, as we seek to be more like you. Do not let us hide in fear, but rather comfort us with your peace and abundant love. Amen.
brunch.bible.study 