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Shadows and Masks |
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Regret, the shadow self, clings to you, sometimes visible, sometimes
just a fleeting image in the corner of your mind. You live life in an attempt to deny the existence of this part of you. When you remember abuse, bad choices, heart break, hurt, sorrow, despair, you quickly paste on your smile, fix your hair, take a quick look to make sure you are presentable, and push those thoughts out. They then take up residence in the shadows. And the shadow grows.
The shadow of shame, of guilt, of longing, of pain, becomes more and more evident. In the moments when you are alone, you question your existence and long for release. But you know what you must do; you paste back on your costume ball persona that people know and love and greet your audience. And the shadow grows.
You believe the mask that imprisons you is the only thing that keeps you from being consumed by the shadow self. However, it also becomes the one thing that keeps you lonely, shallow, and unknown. You want to take it off, but are afraid. What if the shadow is all that is left? |
Don't despair. Darkness cannot stay dark when light enters. Whether you choose to accept or believe it, your shadow self was brutally and effectively killed years before you became acquainted with it. It was whipped, scourged, taunted, and then pounded with nails onto a crossbeam. Your shadow self was destroyed because the person who was crucified along with it chose to save you from it. The blood that flowed from this person covered and completely wiped out the shadow self by forgiving the choices you made that created the darkness to begin with.
You are forgiven once and for all. Jesus died on that cross that day with you on his heart and in his mind. He died on that brutal, humiliating, torturous cross so that your shadow self could die also. He rose again, so that the you that you were created to be could be free. Free to be light, beautiful, loved, and loving without the need to hide or be costumed up for the next command performance. Choose light. Choose life. Choose Christ. You are worth it, He died to prove that point. |
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