Unmasking the True Self:

A Journey at St. John’s Presbyterian Church

By The Rev. Dr Jon Burnham, St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas

In Houston’s noisy world, we often wear masks—titles, achievements, or roles—to feel secure. Colossians 3:3 reminds us, “Your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” At St. John’s Presbyterian Church, we’re learning to shed this “false self” through silence.

The ego thrives on noise—social media, comparisons, endless chatter. Silence scares it because it reveals our true self: God’s beloved. In quiet, we hear God’s whisper, like He spoke to Abraham, Israel, or Peter, calling us by our true name (Isaiah 43:1).

Try This: Centering Prayer

Find a quiet spot in Houston—your home or a park. For 15–20 minutes:

• Pick a sacred word (e.g., Jesus, Peace).
• Sit, close your eyes, and repeat it gently to focus on God.
• Let thoughts drift; return to the word.

This practice quiets the ego, freeing us to live as God’s beloved, serving our Houston community with authenticity.

Prayer

Christ, guide us at St. John’s to hear our true name in Your silence.

Strip away our masks and root us in Your love.

Amen.

Learn more in the book When You Choose Silence on Amazon (https://a.co/d/1FRcgoN)for more on living with intention.