Put Your Best Face Forward - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - March 13, 2025
"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18
The 1980s were very different from today. One of the many reasons it was so different was that manufacturers created products made with banned chemicals. A company called Ben Cooper created Halloween costumes for kids to use for Halloween. This costume, equipped with a mask and a vinyl Velcro-enclosed smock, adorned each child as they went out for Halloween. These masks are made with flame-retardant material, reek of chemicals, and often make a child's face hot. Because my mother wasn't crafty, I had to rely on the Ben Cooper Halloween costume each year. I got to dress up as some of my favorite cartoon characters.
On Halloween night, I'd slap on that mask held only by one elastic band, venture out into the cold brisk air, and go around my local neighborhood and main street trick-or-treating. The group of kids I was with were walking so fast that I had to run to catch up. In haste, I tripped over the curb on the local sidewalk near the cul-de-sac down the street from my home. It scratched up my hands and my knees. But that didn't stop me. I looked at the dirt, wiped it off, and continued.
I wore those types of masks many times. Because they reflect my time as a child at Halloween, one thing is for sure: those masks were unsafe and unhealthy. Yet, as a young child, I could be anything I wanted when I put that mask on my face. I could be a Smurf, Strawberry Shortcake, a cat, anything I wanted. The possibilities were endless. So many neighbors commented that they loved my outfit, and I loved the compliments as I opened my plastic bag to get a fun treat.
As an adult, things have changed. I am no longer allowed to wear a plastic mask daily. As the days pass, I am forever stuck with the reality that my face is aging. Wrinkles are deepening around my eyes, and my jowls are less firm. The wrinkles around my face are beginning to show.
But with God, I don't have to hide my face. God wants me entirely as I am. I may try to put a mask on for the world, letting them know that I'm different from who God knows me to be. I may do this to impress others and make them feel as if I'm someone worth hanging around. However, God already knows my weaknesses and flaws. Yet, he still wants to fellowship with me.
God wants us to approach him with unveiled faces. Women long ago wore veils at a funeral during times of mourning. It was supposed to hide their faces from their deep sadness and grief. God wants to know everything about my life, including my grief and deep sadness. He doesn't want me to wear any mask to cover that up. I can be one way in public and another way in private. However, God wants me precisely as I am.
Do you try to cover up and hide your flaws? Maybe you don't use a physical mask, but do you use makeup or other cosmetics to cover up your imperfections? While there's nothing sinful in using makeup to put your best face forward, the best face we have is the one that is completely naked, vulnerable, and raw before the Lord.
God wants us to be completely real with him and with others. Take off the mask. Challenge yourself to go a few days in public without makeup. See if reactions are different. More than likely, people won't comment at all. It may be refreshing for them to see your true self without cosmetics covering up your imperfections.
Let's pray:
Father, let us come to you with unveiled faces. Let us not use worldly luxuries to hide who we are. Lord, you have always been completely honest with us about everything. May we do the same with you. Amen.
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