During this period of Lent, we need not only to be prepared to give up things but to take on new attitudes and ways. If we are to avoid the sins of hypocrisy and pretence – looking good on the outside but being rotten inside, whitewashed sepulchres, as Jesus described the Pharisees – then we have to learn to be transparent.
This is harder than it sounds for most of us, because we are not used to honesty and transparency and are afraid that if others really see us as we are, they will reject us. Kutless remind us that ‘it’s always easier to hide behind that camouflage that keeps our hearts so guarded.’ (‘Identity’) The purpose of camouflage, of course, is to blend into the background in order to be hidden and unseen, but the truth of the gospel is that we are fully known by God and fully loved (1 Cor 13:12, Ps 139:1-12). This security frees us to be authentic people, living out our God-identity without subterfuge or disguise.
Most of us feel naked without pretence. Just as a woman often feels reluctant to go out without make-up or we like to be fully dressed before we meet people, we feel that we always have to be on our best behaviour with God and other people, never admitting to doubt or fear or loneliness or struggles. Casting Crowns capture our behaviour in their song ‘Stained Glass Masquerade’:
‘Is there anyone that fails?
Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small?
‘Cause when I take a look around,
Everybody seems so strong;
I know they’ll soon discover
That I don’t belong.
So I tuck it all away, like everything’s okay,
If I make them all believe it, maybe I’ll believe it too,
So with a painted grin, I play the part again,
So everyone will seem me the way that I see them.’ (‘Stained Glass Masquerade’, Casting Crowns)
Ironically, however, the church is meant to be a place of acceptance (Rom 15:7) where we can confess our sins to each other and pray for each other, that we may be healed. (James 5:16) As we approach Easter, we can resolve to become transparent people, without guile or hypocrisy.
