Picture-Perfect Posers – The Mask We Wear
II Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”
On vacation with my family, my daughters went wild taking hundreds of pictures. Some of the family, some of the countryside, and a whole bunch of themselves in a variety of poses, both flattering and unflattering.
It was amazing to me that looking good was not a prerequisite for each photo. I mean, after all, who wants to take an unflattering picture? The majority of people, including myself, go to great lengths to look good in the photos we take. We choose clothing that makes us look slimmer. We wear makeup that makes us look younger, and our smile has to be just right to show off our pearly whites. If we should take an unflattering picture, it gets sent to our recycling bin, deleted from our cell phones, or thrown in the trash because our egos can’t bear the visual imperfections that are forever etched in color for all to see. At least, this is true of me. How about you?
A Divine Revelation
As Christians, don’t we do the same thing? Carefully hiding our imperfect marriages, our imperfect kids, and our imperfect lives behind masks of perfection, to only show off our best side to others. However, the world isn’t buying our picture-perfect lives. Our lack of transparency and vulnerability repel them with the hypocrisy it breeds. Paul understood this human tendency. The counsel of 2 Cor. 12:9 came when Paul received a “thorn in his flesh.” This was sent as a tool of Satan to harass him. Yet God used it to keep Paul from becoming prideful and self-reliant.
As I looked through all of the pictures my girls took, their vulnerability and transparency in capturing their less-than-perfect moments touched me deeply. If I could see God’s photo album of me, I imagine it would be filled with less-than-perfect images of my life. Sadly, if I had a say, they would be deleted, sent to the recycle bin, or thrown in the trash. Yet incredibly, these less-than-perfect pictures are the greatest example of the unconditional love that God has for me and the power of Christ to transform me. They serve as a reminder of where I’ve been, what I’ve been forgiven for, and what I’ve been redeemed from. No, they’re not flattering to my fleshly ego, but they are powerful because they clearly demonstrate what God can do with a messy and ordinary life like mine, and isn’t that what pictures are for?
A Divine Challenge
The real us is far from picture-perfect. If we choose to live out our imperfections instead of hiding behind masks. It will draw those whose lives are also less than picture-perfect to a Heavenly Father, who loves them unconditionally. It will also encourage others to embrace transparency and vulnerability with the grace and mercy necessary to set them free from the trap of perfectionism.
Call to Action
When life is not about us, we can afford to allow the world to see our less-than-perfect moments. My girls have inspired me to stop posing in life and let the world see the imperfect side of me. How about you?
Father, You have chosen to love those who are imperfect with Your perfect love. Help us, in all humility, to be willing to boast of our imperfections so that Your perfect love can be seen. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen!