Monday, May 18, 2026

Bible in a Year: Isaiah 18-22 | Matthew 28

My favorite Disney princess has always been Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Perhaps because of this, I grew up wanting to be “not like other girls.” 

If something is popular, I could care less. If all of my classmates have a celebrity crush, I’m choosing a fictional character. I listen to niche folk music and go against the fashion trends and do everything in my power to be unique. Usually, it lines up with my real opinions, but occasionally I will resist doing something enjoyable just to make sure I’m different from everyone else. 

Everyone wears masks from time to time. We paint over ourselves and pretend to be something we’re not as a form of protection. Sometimes, this is an attempt to fit in with whatever our family or society expects. We’re afraid of being embarrassed or disappointing someone we care about. Other times, we put on a mask to hide some sort of mistake or hurt staining our life. We don’t want to experience the pain of feeling judged or rejected.  

Often, this goes beyond hiding from other people. We also try to hide from God. 

This has been going on since the very first sin, when Adam and Eve chose to disobey God. 

Genesis 3:7
At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

Adam and Eve’s first reaction to their sin was shame. They immediately tried to cover themselves, to conceal their guilt and themselves from God. 

But God could see past their flimsy fig leaves and clumsy hiding spot. He knew exactly what they’d done and could see every inch of their sin, but that didn’t scare him away. Instead, it brought him closer. 

Genesis 3:9
Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

Sometimes being honest, with both God and others, is the very thing that can actually strengthen a relationship. If we are brave enough to take off our masks and let God in, showing him even the darkest, grittiest parts of ourselves, it allows us to fully rest in his love. We don’t have to keep performing to catch his attention or earn his approval. He already sees past the mask anyway! Instead, we can trust that he will keep loving us, keep searching for us, no matter what. 

Questions: 
What kinds of masks do you find yourself wearing? What is one simple way you can choose to be your authentic self this week, both with God and with a person you trust?

Next Steps: 
Pray and honestly tell God about anything you may have been hiding or attempting to ignore. If it helps you focus, write it out in a journal and ask him for guidance in any areas you might be struggling. 

If you don’t have anyone in your life that you are able to be your authentic self around, consider joining a Summer Group! The directory to register for Summer Groups opens May 30. This is a great way to find community and be honest about anything you might be tempted to hide.  

Prayer: 
Father, sometimes I get scared to be my full self around other people. I’m afraid I might be too much or not enough, that something I’ve done or will do might scare them away. Please surround me with people who love you and want the best for me, and give me the courage to be honest with them. Help me rest in your love, and trust that you will keep searching for me, even in my mess. Amen. 

Series Theme Verse:
Galatians 5:13
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 

This post was written by Lydia Snyder, a South attendee and regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.