A View to the Future

The Real You

Authenticity. It seems so easy, but in practice, it can be very hard. Why did Jesus use a little child as an example of those considered “greatest” in his kingdom? (Luke 9:46-48, NIV) There's an innocence - a raw honesty - to children, that is so easily lost in adulthood. If it were common, he could have drawn anyone from the crowd to illustrate his point - even one of his disciples. But they were too busy arguing over who was the greatest. They were too occupied with thoughts of future honor, powerful positions, and their own conceit. They fell victim to the pull of outward acclamation.

And we do the same.

With hardly a conscious thought, we surround ourselves with walls, don our masks, and present an image we believe others want to see and will approve of. Authenticity gets lost along the way. Children are so openly honest: they live from the inside out. As adults, we learn to filter our speech and actions with wisdom and love. This is good, but filtering them with our perceptions of others’ approval... not so much. I'm practicing the art of living for an audience of one: God.

Since he is truth, living and loving like him means living authentically. It means living from the inside out. This can be hard because it requires undoing a lot of lies we collect in life. For example, if I don't believe at my core that God designed and created me with value (Psalm 139:13-14), I won't want to show the real me. Instead, I'll try to look around to find an image I think others will like, and conform myself to it. When I recognize my worth, though, I have the courage and confidence to be authentic. Honestly, it's kind of an adventure to be who you really are - to say and do things that are uniquely you, even when you don't know how they'll be received. Sometimes I'm not very good at it, but I'm practicing, and it’s freeing!

When we are real, and pursuing God's plan for our lives, many things fall into place. Recognizing God’s unconditional acceptance, we don't have to concern ourselves with pleasing other people. This brings inner rest. We also make stronger and deeper connections with  friends, which yields fullness in life. We all have a purpose to fulfill during our short time on Earth. (Acts 17:6; Psalm 139: Ephesians 2:10) Authenticity enables us live it out, and we're all better for it.