Behind the Masks
July 1, 2021
“When morning came, it was Leah!” – Genesis 29:25
Jacob had worked for Laban for seven years with the promise that he could marry Laban’s youngest daughter, Rachel, at the end of those seven years. However, on the morning after the wedding, Jacob is beside himself to learn that it was Rachel’s older sister, Leah, whom he had actually wed. It had been Leah, behind the veil or mask, and not the woman he expected and loved.
As we begin to remove our masks, our facial coverings, after this long season of covering up and hibernating in attempts to slow the spread of COVID, we may be surprised at how our neighbors look. Maybe it has been so long since you saw your friend or neighbor without the lower half of their face being covered, that you forget what they look like without it! They may have grown a mustache since you last saw them without a mask. I have even read where teeth whitening has increased since restrictions are being lifted!
Some folks may remove their cloth (or paper) face coverings, but their masks will remain, unseen. They hide their pain, their loneliness, their fear behind an overbright smile that doesn’t reach their eyes. Their worries are masked behind an impassive expression. Their insecurities and pain may even be hidden behind a grouchy demeanor, or a mean streak.
The truth is – we don’t know what other folks are going through, what they are experiencing. We make judgments based on their outward expressions and appearances. Often, we are in such a rush that we don’t take the time to truly look at someone, observe their body language. We don’t look up from our smart phones and electronic devices and actually listen to what they are saying, never mind listening to what they aren’t telling us.
Stop and think for a minute, when you are having a bad day and someone smiles at you, you smile back, grateful for that little bit of cheer. When someone compliments you, that acknowledgement perks you up a little bit. When someone takes the time to ask what is bothering you and listens while you let the mask slip and pour out what you have kept bottled up inside, you feel better, relieved, valued.
Now that the masks are coming off, take some time to “see” one another. Take some time to listen to one another. Take some time to get to know the person behind the mask, you might be surprised at the treasure you find.
God’s Blessings, Pastor Laura
PS. Since Bryan and I first began attending LIUMC, we have come to know many of you with your masks. Please bear with us if we don’t recognize you immediately without your mask!
PPS. To learn more about the love triangle between Jacob, Leah, and Rachel, read Genesis 29-30.