Unmasking the True Self

silence, contemplative christianity, quiet prayer, spiritual practice, st johns Htown, meditation, centering prayer, solitude

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.

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About the Author

pastor houston, st johns presbyterian, bellaire texas church, serving since 1956, presbyterian pastor, west bellfort church

Pastor Jon has served St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston for over a decade and is the author of 34+ books on Christian spirit available on Amazon.

He is an innovator in both the community and at the church, bringing in major initiatives like the Single Parent Family Ministry housing with PCHAS, the One Hope Preschool program, and expanding the community garden that brings together church members and neighbors.

Under his leadership, St. John's has become known for practical service that makes a real difference in the community.

His approach is simple: "We're real people who worship and serve Jesus Christ with no frills."