Hard lessons from my last trip Pt 1

After three months of ministry that took me to Uganda, Sudan,
Congo, and Kenya, I returned home last week to the warm embrace of my wife,
kids, church and friends. I’d lost quite a bit of weight which worried my wife
but I gained a wealth of experience from meeting people with a wide range of
issues, real issues; which I hope I can properly communicate their crux in a
few words here.  

First, I’m awed by the great need for authentic living and fellowship
among Christians. Our churches are gradually becoming a haven for fakes. The
lessons I learned in the last three months while discipling many youngsters with
the rich insights I’d gleaned from The Mask has influenced me tremendously. God
help me, I hope I’m not getting cynical.

There’s a silent, yet desperate search for a safe place to
unmask or a secure person to unmask to. Seth Barnes has done a great job
addressing some of these issues in his blog topics listed here. I’ll be quoting
him extensively in this article.

What is this unmasking deal all about? I understand it as being
naked and not ashamed, being the me
that God made to enjoy, without regrets, walking in the light as He, Jesus, is
in the light.  

The Lord Jesus
says, “This is the crisis we’re in:
God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the
darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in
pleasing God.

Everyone who makes a practice of doing
evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won’t come near it,
fearing a painful exposure.

But anyone working and living in truth and
reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it
is.” (John 3:19-21 The Message)

He calls it a crisis
and who can dispute that?

When we take a good look in the mirror, how do we define who
we see? In an age where sincere self examination is unpopular, seeing that self
help books and many teachers tell us who we are; the truth about us is fast
becoming a matter of others opinion. So, how do others define me? What do I
relish about their view of me that makes me feel good about myself?

But, what do they not know about you, that if they knew, will
certainly change their view about you? How far away from the open are such
things? Are they secrets that dare not cross the minds of people you seek their
approval and respect? Could a false self be at work? Could that enigmatic personality who
lives daily in trepidation be longing for freedom and not getting it? Why?

I learnt that the false self thrives on self love. “They went for (chose) darkness because they were not really interested
in pleasing God.” But they successfully created a false impression, the
impression of a sound and sincere love for God, which is a mirage, a smoke screen for their private evil fantasies and obsessions. The continued
hidden practice of those sins is testimony to a denial and an illusion; to the presence
of a masked insidious tyrant.

I learnt that we need help getting rid of it. It’s a cruel
world with precious few maps to navigate by. We may not even be aware of the
false self we’ve taken on. The ego props may seem like such a natural part of
our identity that we no longer recognize who we are and where we need immediate
help.

At some point, all of us need to take a closer look at our
search for identity, for acceptance and respect. Have you found a safe place?
Have you sought the approval of men and settled for something counterfeit? Is
the persona that you’ve let others see the real you, or is it a false self?

But so many of our bad habits and our broken character will
only change as a result of our conscious effort to repent and yielding to the persistent
workings of the Holy Spirit’s power which could last a long time.  This is
where discipleship takes center stage. I sense this need is more desperate today
in the life of men and women who speak publicly for God.

Since returning from Sudan, I’ve continued to receive the warm
welcome and accolades of brethren on our work there. But that mission and
vision is NOT Uche. God sees the bigger and brighter picture. I’m listening to
Him for it.

Thank you Seth Barnes!

Author: Uche Izuora

I'm inspired by God’s passion for His name in every generation, which provokes global worship through Jesus Christ. Becoming an emotionally healthy and transformative disciple, I aim to mobilize the Church to engage in cross-cultural missions and raise other like-minded disciples who discover themselves in Christ and seek to present and represent Him as Savior and Lord among the nations northward of Uganda. View all posts by Uche Izuora