This morning, I need help.
In a couple of weeks, I'm giving the Consecration message to the senior class. When I accepted the invitation several months ago, the image of "masks" vs. "mirror" came to mind. I thought it would be simple enough to develop a short message about hiding (masks) vs. being seen (The Mirror.)
But as I've worked on this talk, it's grown quickly into a retreat and then a 12-part series. Every time I re-read Ken Davis's manta: "You can't possibly be TOO SIMPLE!" ten new ideas spring to life. I don't need new ideas; I need laser-sharp focus on ONE point and stories to go with it!
The bottom line of the juxtaposition is this:
The message of the masks: "You must change to be loved."
The message of The Mirror: "You must be Loved to change.
I was thinking of ending the talk with a couplet (a la Shakespeare):
Take off the masks, stop the show;
Look in The Mirror and, in Love, grow!
I've also pulled some lyrics from Phantom of the Opera:
(Need ideas on how I might use these lyrics!)
Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade.
Masquerade!
Hide your face, so the world will never find you!
...
Masquerade!
Every face a different shade.
Masquerade!
Look around -
there's another
mask behind you!
...
Take your turn.
Take a ride.
On a merry - go - round
In an inhuman race.
...
Eye of gold.
Thigh of blue.
True is false.
Who is who?
...
Masquerade!
Seething shadows
breathing lies.
Masquerade!
You can fool
any friend who
ever knew you!
I've got an opening story about my daughter (who's one of the graduates, so the students will love it) when she was just a toddler:
Annemarie was busily coloring with crayons all over the white entryway walls as I was silently coming down the stairs, fully aware of what she was doing. She didn't hear me until I got quite close to her; at that point, she moved -- without looking at me -- to her paper on the floor and began to color with ardent determination. When I said, "Annemarie!" and pointed to the walls, she said, "No, Mama! Look HERE! Look HERE!" and physically pulled me to the papers.
This little anecdote isn't about masks, but I'll use it to transition into the masks vs mirror concept; it is about my human instinct to pull people away from the truth about me (especially the unpleasant truth) and point them toward what I want them to see about me.
Now, I need help!
* After reading my "bits and pieces," what comes to your mind? Thoughts? Ideas? Cautions? Concerns?
* What scriptures come to mind?
* What Christian songs come to mind?
* I'd like to interview some of the seniors and use video clips to add their stories to my talk. What kinds of questions might I ask? (They're an honest and open group of kids.) Perhaps pull from the "Masquerade" lyrics to create questions?
* I'd love to weave in short references to Hamlet, Frankenstein, Pygmalion, and/or The Screwtape Letters (they did ask their English teacher to speak!) Any ideas?
I'm at the stage where I know I can "pull it together" if needed. But after spending time in silence and solitude this weekend, praying over this message, I feel impressed that it will be so much better with collaboration. I just have the sense that there are things I'm not seeing, things I'm missing because I've been floundering in pages (20+!) of notes and ideas.I look forward to your input!