At this time of year, I notice disguises. People dress up to disguise themselves for neighborhood gatherings and church fall festivals. Many of the costumes reflect cultural dynamics found in books, movies, and events. For little ones, disguises reveal aspirations such as being a firefighter, painter, or heroine in a Disney story.
Disguise — To give (someone or oneself) a different appearance in order to conceal one’s identity.
As I wondered about the word disguise – I found myself drawn in two directions. The first felt more familiar. With the word disguise, I could explore the ways we hide and live false selves. When we perform and pretend in order to experience esteem, control, and safety, we operate in our false self. Functioning in these masks restricts our awareness of God and the freedom into which He invites us to live.
Disguising ourselves to impress others misses the heart of God who delights in His creation. He calls us to live authentically with transparency and integrity. Maybe you notice ways you perform to gain acceptance? Perhaps you exaggerate in order to appear superior to others? Or, what if you self-protect yourself by failing to be honest with others about struggles or desires? We live in freedom when we discard our disguises to be fully loved by the Lord. The Spirit of God transforms us to live in wholeness with God, ourselves, and others.
Take a moment to come before your Creator. He delights in you and loves you. Stop trying to hide and disguise yourself from Him and others. Receive His grace to be real, honest, and alive to the beautiful unique person He designed you to be.
The second way I felt drawn to the word disguise regards God’s interactions with us. How does God disguise Himself? Why does He disguise Himself? What is the beauty behind the disguises of God?
I’m not sure how Jesus disguised Himself as He walked with the two guys along the road to Emmaus, but for some reason they did not recognize Him. His identity remained concealed until they sat down to eat together and then, they recognized Him (Luke 24:31).
For me, I often “miss” God until I pause to reflect. Sometimes in the moment, I might think, “Oh, that was God…” yet a fullness of experience and encounter unfolds through purposeful reflection. In reflection, the Holy Spirit helps me “see” God. I become aware of God in the midst of conversations, trips to the grocery store, silence in supervision and soulcare sessions, playtimes with my granddaughters, gardening in the yard, walking Gracie, worship music with my church community, journaling, and through unexpected emails or texts. The presence of God surfaces as I slow down and look.
So, does God really disguise Himself, or am I just unaware of His presence? Perhaps both. Scripture repeatedly invites followers of Jesus to seek Him, to look for Him, and to pay attention (Psalm 119:10, Isaiah 55:6, Colossians 3:1). And, at times, it seems God approaches humanity through unexpected and surprising means.
I perceive that Jesus comes in disguise because of His tender acquaintance with the state of each soul. Consider a few examples:
* Mary Magdalene wept before Jesus’ empty tomb and talked with a man she thought to be a gardener. Yet, the moment He spoke her name, she knew it was Jesus. Jesus understood the delicate state of her sorrowful soul (John 20:10-16).
* Perhaps Jesus came in disguise to the two men on the road to Emmaus because He understood the depth of their emotions of grief, fear, and confusion? Jesus tenderly invited them to share from their experience (Luke 24:13-32).
* When the disciples returned to fishing after the death and resurrection of Jesus, He met them on the shore. Yet, they did not recognize Him. Miraculously, their empty nets became laden with fish, and then they realized the identity of the Friend on shore, Jesus (John 21:4-14)
The presence of Jesus appeared without notice. Could the gracious love of God come in disguise to meet us when we feel depleted and unable to “look” for Him? With each of these instances, I recognize that Mary, the two men, and the disciples all experienced recent distress. God so beautifully cared for these heavy souls. What if, when we feel emotionally raw, physically drained, mentally overloaded, spiritually exhausted, and relationally tender, that those are the spaces Jesus meets us in disguise?
Maybe you are in a season when Scripture reading or Bible study feels dry, worship feels robotic, or prayer feels like an echo? What if, Jesus comes to you in disguise through moments like a kind conversation, the song of a bird, the smells of delicious food, a helpful co-worker, or a gentle breeze? God brings beauty into our brokenness, offering hope and healing. Jesus meets us where we are. And, maybe sometimes, He comes in disguise.
This week – – –
Reflect. Jesus invites us to come to Him as we are (Matthew 11:28-30). How are you, really? Wonder with God about any spaces in your soul that feel emotionally raw, physically drained, mentally overloaded, spiritually exhausted, or relationally tender. Talk with the Lord about what you notice. Take a moment to look for His obvious presence or disguised presence with you. If you see some disguises or costumes in the next few days, let those be reminders to reflect with Jesus and notice the way He is aquatinted with your soul and cares for you.
Request. Talk with God about the ways you encounter Him, or ways you aren’t encountering Him. God is acquainted with the state of your soul. Listen for His gentle whisper of presence to you. Ask God what He wants you to pay attention to with Him. Rest and Be.
Receive. Imagine the surprise and delight of the two men on the road to Emmaus, Mary, or the disciples when they realized the presence of Jesus. Jesus delights to meet us in unexpected ways. He loves you. Thank God for His intentional care of your soul. Look with anticipation for His presence throughout the day.
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Drips from the Word: Muse about these Bible verses. Let these truths impact your living.
John 20:11-16 – Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
John 21: 3-7 – “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”
Splashes from the Spigot: Drink from deep wells. Read these recommended books to fill your soul.
M. Robert Mulholland Jr. and Ruth Haley Barton. The Deeper Journey: The Spirituality of Discovering Your True Self. Lisle, IL. 2016.
Dane Ortlund. Surprised by Jesus: Subversive Grace in the Four Gospels. Louisville, KY. 2022.
Sprinklings of Truth: Soak in meaningful songs. Check out these music videos to lift up your spirit.
Brandon Heath. Jesus in Disguise. Click here to watch & listen.
Dupree. God of Surprises. Click here to watch and listen.
Puddles for Prayer: Thank you for praying for upcoming travel and speaking engagements.
November 8-12 – Quarryville, PA – Breathe Deeply Soul Care Encounter (click here for more information)