This content has been archived. It may no longer be relevant

When I was a little girl, my brother Ron and I went to the movies—a double feature—almost every Friday afternoon while our Mom went grocery shopping. For 50 cents, we could see the movies and have enough left over for a snack.

Most of our movie outings included at least one western starring someone like Hopalong Cassidy, Roy Rogers, or John Wayne. Without exception, each movie had some bad guys with masks and leather gloves. It was assumed if you were wearing a mask, you were up to no good. In fact, did you know that there is a state law in North Carolina that has prohibited wearing masks in public since 1953? Check it out:

14-12.8.  Wearing of masks, hoods, etc., on public property. No person or persons shall in this State, while wearing any mask, hood or device whereby the person, face or voice is disguised so as to conceal the identity of the wearer, enter, or appear upon or within the public property of any municipality or county of the State, or of the State of North Carolina. (1953, c. 1193, s. 7.)

Fast forward 60 plus years. Masks and gloves are back. This time, though, the good guys are wearing them. Now the government is encouraging and the airlines are requiring us to cover our faces! What a change!

People have become quite creative in their choice of masks.

Even son Jeff and daughter-in-law Stephanie have come up with their version—a clear mask attached to a ball cap. This creation is great for the claustrophobic like Steph. (I don’t know how much protection they provide the wearers, but I suppose they serve as a barrier of sorts for any coughs or sneezes that might occur. OOH!)

Daughter-in-law Kandee gave me a pretty blue and purple mask that she had custom made for me.  The first time I wore it, son Jon commented that I was color coordinated. Though not planned or intentional, everything did match—blue sweater, blue mask, blue gloves, blue jeans! Very chic for my trip to Lowes and Food Lion!

On a more serious note, did you know that the Bible talks about face coverings? Moses wore a veil after he met with the Lord so that the people would not be overwhelmed by the glory of God shining from his face.  (Exodus 34:30)

Have you ever thought about the fact that with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, all believers should “glow” with the light of Jesus Christ, just as Moses did?

Have you ever noticed that the faces of believers who are filled with the Holy Spirit do indeed have a radiance—a glow–about them? The Scriptures explain why:

^“But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 NLT

As we read the account of the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, we see an example of the radiance of a devoted believer. Just before his death, the Scriptures record, “At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s.” (Acts 6:15 NLT)

Our job as Christians then? To be light in a dark, wicked, perverse world! “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8 NLT)

Challenge: What about us? You and me? Do we have the Holy Spirit glowing within us? Do we radiate his love and light to those around us? Have we taken off the Satan-issued mask of this world that reflects hatred, bitterness, unrest, impatience, evil, harshness, unfaithfulness, and lack of control and put on the new Christ-issued one that reflects his Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control? (Galatians 5:22-23)

As people made in his image, we should be radiant. Jesus himself glowed at the time of his transfiguration, (Matthew 17:2), and he will glow when he returns. (Revelation 1:12-20)

Jesus told us in the Sermon on the Mount that we are to be the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14-15)  As we follow this command and get to work following him where he leads, we might even hum the gospel song written in the 1920’s by Harry Dixon Loes:

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine!

Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine.
Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine.
Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine.

Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine.
Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine.
Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine.

In conclusion, may “The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV)

Thanks for reading. I pray the Lord will fill you with his light and empower you to share it with those around you!