Hannah Nale strives to remove worldly mask

Air flies through my hair, my hands are warmed by my pumpkin spice latte, and my feet all cozy in my fluffy socks. Oh, how I love fall. As the seasons change from summer to fall, I also see the change in myself and school.

Even in our school hallways everyone is taking on new identities. New students become regulars, seniors transition to future college students, and exchange students forming to the American culture. The stress from homecoming diminishes, and the search for the perfect halloween outfit begins.

Last week I was looking for a halloween mask one that covered my face and true identity. After finding the ideal mask I started the long drive home. My radio blaring Christian music as I contemplated life, I began to relate the mask to myself.

A mask can come in many forms including laziness, negative thinking, pride, etc. In high school I have seen myself and others place on the mask of gossip. As I walk the halls, I hear the everyday gossip our society conforms to. Let’s be honest, we fit into both ends of the spectrum; the gossip spreader and receiver.

We hear others opinions about us, pressuring us to put on other masks to shift our ways. If everyone is wearing a mask no one will ever truly know each other. Personally, I want the world to see the true me, a child of God. By spreading gossip, and hearing gossip I place new identities on myself and others.

The words we use and spread have power. We either tear others down or we can build them up.

A mask can come in many forms including laziness, negative thinking, pride, etc. In high school I have seen myself and others place on the mask of gossip. As I walk the halls, I hear the everyday gossip our society conforms to. Let’s be honest, we fit into both ends of the spectrum, the gossip spreader and receiver. — Hannah Nale

Paul, in Ephesians 4:29, simply instructs us.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

By doing this, the quality of our relationships and the joy we experience in life will certainly increase. Tearing others down will not make us feel better but only hurt our relationships. Let us help others remove their masks instead of placing more on.

Society tells me these masks are okay to hold on to, but then I remember Romans 12 teaches us to be a true living sacrifices for our Lord. We must flee from our ways and run to God’s ways instead.

“Therefore I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy to offer your body as a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to God — for this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1)

After all this contemplation, I find myself praying: Thank you Lord for the opportunity to renew myself in you. Help me to remove my masks by supporting and encouraging my brothers and sisters in Christ. Take my life, guiding me to be a living sacrifice for you.

Evaluate the masks you may be wearing, offering them to the Lord. Then treat yourself to a pumpkin spice latte.

Senior and student body president Hannah Nale shares an occasional series from her desk. For her previous post, read Column: President discusses spiritual gifts, purposeful lifestyle.

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