Masks off: Cast off pride to find community
By Myriah Snyder
theropetab.com
I recently moved into the basement of my senior pastor’s family home for a short transitional period.
These people loved me, but I knew that there was a lot they didn’t know about me. This last week, though, I began to realize that I can leave here this fall with a savings account due to the discounted rent and a better idea of what a two-parent, ministry home looks like.
Or I could leave their home strengthened spiritually and set up to thrive.
But to do the latter, I’d have to be vulnerable, and from my perspective, I’d have to obliterate the Myriah this family knew and loved.
That was a high price for me, so I waited and considered my options.
Would they still love me after I took off my carefully curated mask?
Would they still be so supportive of my ministry/calling/career?
Would they be scared if I ugly cried in front of them?
All my insecurities surrounded me as I texted and asked if we could sit down and talk.
And, you know what? All those insecurities were lies from the enemy. As I poured out my heart, I felt loved, understood, supported and cared for. I felt overwhelming acceptance.
The next day, I walked upstairs after work needing to unload from my day. And they listened and gave me advice, with the exact same amount of respect they had before.
My vulnerability hadn’t changed me in their eyes. I think it just made them care more.
I realized what was holding me back from genuine community was pride. And that makes God’s list of most detestable sins multiple times (see Isa. 2:12; James 6:4; Prov. 8:13, 16:5). Confessing and forsaking that was my first step.
We’re all at the point in this pandemic where we’re sick of masks, whether we’re for them or against them. This mask though — the polished Christian seeking people’s approval — is one God has called us to remove (Gal. 5:16).
Wouldn’t it just be so nice if we could find safe spaces to remove these spiritual masks?
EDITOR’S NOTE — Adapted from theropetab.com. Myriah Snyder is a regular contributor to The Rope, a blog for college students and young professionals. Snyder is associate editor of The Christian Index, the newsjournal of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, a two-time graduate of the University of the Cumberlands and a member of Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia.
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Letters to the Editor
I want to praise Pastor Bryan Taunton for his “Your Voice” article in the Aug. 6 issue of The Alabama Baptist regarding restrictive visitation limits in hospitals and nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic (tabonline.org/taunton). I look at this petition as an answered prayer.
My stepdad had to have surgery in August after three ER visits in two weeks and doctor’s appointments that my mom couldn’t go to with him. He can’t hear well nor understand what the doctors are doing or saying.
My mom is his advocate but was not allowed to be present.
This has been wrong on all levels — being allowed to do some things but not visit loved ones on their death beds or visit dementia or Alzheimer’s patients. I’ve heard so many awful stories.
It’s as if Pastor Taunton’s words were taken out of my mouth and printed. I’ve said over and over how inhumane this whole process has been.
I’m so thankful there is a petition. Something has to change and be done soon.
Lynn Dobbs
Deatsville, Ala..
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TAB staff members help double our reach
I’m sending a gift subscription to a pastor whose church has been through a lot in the past couple of years. I hope it will encourage him to know even more that his church is part of a bigger body of Christ followers that are all in this together.
Grace Thornton
Special assignments editor
I found out about a longtime reader who had lost touch with us after changing churches and now lives on a fixed income. I purchased a subscription for her so she can be reconnected.
Jennifer Davis Rash
President and editor-in-chief
I’ve been inviting friends on Facebook to like TAB Media’s page. And recently, while on vacation, a salesman asked where I worked. After I described TAB, he handed me his phone and asked me to sign him up online. When I didn’t purchase anything, he said, “Can I still get the paper?” I assured him that he would receive the paper.
Finally, I asked my daughter and two friends, “Are you getting TAB?” They weren’t, but they asked to get subscriptions.
Cynthia Watts
Executive assistant
On Facebook, I sent a direct message to several of my friends inviting them to like our page. It was so easy — it only took 5 minutes!
Maggie Evans
Special assistant
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To love Jesus means no excuses are offered that allow us to give way to fear and anger because “these days are so hard.” Godly love responds to surrounding chaos quite differently. Consider Jesus. The greater the crisis, the more clearly His love is displayed.
Bob Adams
Retired pastor
Happiness is discovered when we sympathize with those around us who suffer. Hardened hearts are resistant to God’s blessings, but when our hearts are tender toward others, they are also receptive to God’s care and concern. Sympathizing with others helps us discover happiness.
David Jeremiah
Pastor and author
The condition of our hearts will set the tone for all our relationships — including our relationship with God.
Tony Dungy
Sports analyst and former NFL coach
Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things.
Henry Ward Beecher
American clergyman
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Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9b
Teenagers want to be a part of something important and significant. They rally to causes they believe in. We need to take that desire and direct it to Kingdom work. Help your students find places to serve within your church. Teach them to identify their skills and desires, then show them how they can use those strengths to serve. … Giving students a place to serve will help them realize they are active participants in the kingdom of God, and it will make it easier for them to remain connected to the church even when they graduate from the student ministry.
Jarrod Horne
Minister of students and discipleship
Sixth Street Baptist Church
Alexander City, Ala.
The Apostle Paul had the right idea. “Let us stimulate each other to love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24). Could this be the end goal of relationships? To stimulate others to live the character of Jesus’ love that makes for excellent people interaction? What are some ways to encourage strong relationships?
- Hear. Really hear what people say to decipher what they mean.
- Trust. Let loose of the fear of being hurt.
- Honesty. Tell the truth if you want to hear the truth.
- Give. Invest yourself in people.
A true connection with God informs human relationships. He’s the glue for meaningful people bonds.
Darryl Wood
via Facebook
Fear is an emotional default for us. It is an emotion we don’t like to feel and one that can disable us, rob us of faith, and throw us into a never-ending prison of chaos. …
When we are on the battlefield of fear, we can’t shove it away or stuff it neatly in a back drawer. Until we courageously confront our fear and back it up with God’s Word, we can never be free of the pit of perpetual fear. When we are courageous and face the fear by backing it down with God’s word, there is a particular power that Scripture unleashes that backs the enemy down.
It is a huge victory that God has fashioned for us, and it is ours if we will believe Him for it.
Cindy Evers
Tifton, Ga.
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From the Twitterverse
@shanepruitt78
If the tomb couldn’t stop Jesus, neither can 2020.
@dandarling
There is so much going on in the country — turmoil and tumult. I’m personally convicted this morning that times like this should drive us to our knees in prayer rather than our keyboards with opinions. We need to pray for our country.
@haines_matt
God’s word is not a tool to be used to advance our political agendas, it is a light given to illuminate our path and lead us to Christ, our only true hope.
@nathanrose33
When I preach a passage I attempt to make the tone of my sermon match the tone of the text. If it’s shocking, I want it to feel shocking. If it’s encouraging, encouraging. If it’s sobering, sobering. I want the Spirit’s tone (and not mine) to be the tone of every message.
@brocraigc
“A godless world is a lawless world. Anarchy comes in when the fear of God goes out; and all the mischiefs you can imagine, and much more, rush in like a flood.” — C.S. Spurgeon
@macbrunson
Pastors if you hold the word of God in your hand and you actually preach it:
—you may have larger churches close to you
—you may have more popular preachers around you
—but you will have no competition near you. No-where-near!
Getting ready for @NOBTS preaching class.
@Blackwell_Kevin
I long for the day when I no longer have to see the word “decline” related to Southern Baptists. I pray that post-COVID, the SBC will see a surge in baptisms, attendance and spiritual vitality.
@richardblackaby
Every day of political turmoil, pandemic, social and economic upheaval and worldwide violence that passes, we are closer to Jesus’ return than we have ever been.
@drtonyevans
Sometimes God lets you hit rock bottom so you will discover that He is the Rock at the bottom.
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