We like to pretend that hidden agendas are just for self-important bosses or egotistical politicians, but we all have them. Deep down, we all have a secret plan for getting from where we are to where we want to be, even if we refuse to admit it to ourselves.
And if our hidden agendas aren't enough, we wear masks to obscure the truth even more. We put on these masks---like religion, appearance, power, politics, or protection---to drive our agendas. But all of this leaves us feeling phony, ashamed, guilty, and afraid. It's killing us and hurting those we love. But for most of us, it will be a cold day in a hot place before we will be fully honest with anyone else.
There is so much more to life than hiding, pretending, and never being loved. In fact, there is already one person who sees behind the masks we wear and the hidden agendas that drive us. It does no good to tell God that you're sick when you're drunk, that you love him when you don't, or that you didn't steal and eat an apple (with apple juice dripping down your chin). God always recognizes and loves the "you" behind the mask.
So what can we do about the hidden agendas we have and the masks we wear? How can we gather the courage to be real? "Being real" has to start with your relationship with your heavenly Father. God already knows you inside and out. But God doesn't know you in order to "out" you to your friends. His unconditional love for his own is reason we can pray to our Father without fear of rejection or judgment. Knowing God's love, knowing that your heavenly Father is for you not against you is the only reason to give up your masks and develop the type of authentic relationships you never thought you could have.
My review:
This book is subtitled "Dropping the Masks That Keep Us Apart". I have written a few blog posts about wearing masks, so this book interested me as soon as I read the information on it. The book covers the issue much better and in more depth than I ever have. There is a lot of information in this book: why we wear masks, who we try to wear them for, how to and when to take them off, who to take them off for, and everything in between.
The book is extremely well written and interesting. It isn't a self help book filled with mumbo jumbo, but is filled with reasonable and common sense, yet Biblically based facts about this whole wearing masks idea. He uses a lot of Scripture and presents Jesus as the ultimate help in taking off our masks and being real.
I found the book not just an enjoyable read, but also a convicting and interesting read.
This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review.
About the author:
Steve Brown is the founder of Key Life Network, which exists to communicate that the deepest message of the ministry of Jesus is the radical grace of God. Having spent 25 years as a pastor, Brown now devotes much of his time to the radio broadcasts Key Life and Steve Brown, Etc., which are currently heard on more than 600 outlets.
Brown has a B.A. in philosophy and religion from High Point College and an S.T.B. degree from Boston University School of Theology. He is a visiting professor of practical theology at Knox Theological Seminary and at Westminster Theological Seminary. Brown is also an in-demand speaker and the author of numerous books, including A Scandalous Freedom, How to Talk So People Will Listen, and Approaching God. His articles have also appeared in many top Christian publications.
Additionally, Brown is a former member of the Board of Directors of the National Religious Broadcasters and a current member of the Board of Harvest, USA. With such varied experience, Brown refuses to be a "guru," doesn't want to be anyone's mother and gives, in his teaching, the freedom to think. He lives in Florida with his wife, Anna. They have two daughters and three grandchildren.
Excerpt: read an excerpt from Hidden Agenda here.
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