* The Great Pretender

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Romans 12:9-13 NLT

Have you ever been a fan of a certain TV show that after so many years decided to call it quits because the actors were tired of playing the role? Was it disappointing because that had become part of your own routine? Or have you ever faithfully watched a show for a couple years, enjoying great character acting and then all of a sudden the next season begs the question, "Who are you and what have you done with the actors I know and like?" People playing a part - pretending to be someone they are not. After a while, it gets old. They don't want to do it anymore - don't want to be that person or character - they don't want to get type-cast... but some get in a niche and play it for decades.

How many times in "real" life have we pretended to be something we're not? Or pretended NOT to be something we really are? Why? To make someone like us? Or because we're afraid if they found out who we really are (or aren't), we would be judged and found wanting? How many times have you heard an exuberant, "Oh, I am too blessed to be stressed!" but if you take the time to look into their eyes, you see fear and dread...or worse - hopelessness. Do we allow the Great Pretender to carry on pretending under the guise of preserving their "dignity" or will we love enough to clasp their hand in ours and reply, "I'll agree with your confession of faith. Let me pray with you" and let the Holy Spirit guide our words?

Even those who are trained to act can only sustain a role for so long... Our Maker did not create us to be fakers. We are called to Truth - nothing fake about Truth. No pretending about Truth. And even if we were GREAT pretenders, we could not play the role forever because Truth always wins out.

We are called to love... not to pretend to love. Pretend love barely lasts till the person walks out of the room.

If we can be loved without the complication of trying to remember what role we are playing, then we will be free to love in return. It starts with Christ. To love as Christ loved and gave Himself for us - that lasts forever and will sustain us through eternity - and will also sustain those around us so they can stop being Great Pretenders.

Prayer:

Father,

        You have called us to be in relationship with You. You who knows all and sees all. There is no hiding from You. Help us to be who You have created us to be - nothing fake. Nothing pretend. According to Your Word in Psalm 51, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make us to know wisdom. Purge us with hyssop, and we shall be clean; wash us, and we shall be whiter than snow. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen