Be Real Pt.1

Be real with me.  It’s something I have heard a number of times, often when someone is looking for you to be honest with them.  Sociologist say that the current generation of people between 18-35 place a high value around this very concept of being authentic.  I agree that authenticity is very important, I just wonder if we always understand the cost of authenticity.  Being real is great in theory, and both messy and challenging in practice.  For the next three posts I am going to look at being authentic with:

  1. Ourselves
  2. God
  3. Others

I have heard authenticity defined as, “saying what is so for you, even when it’s hard, and allow for others to do the same.”  Authenticity is not just sharing your thoughts like Archie Bunker, it’s sharing your beliefs in such a way that invites others to do the same, even when it’s easier not to.  Again authenticity sounds good in theory, but are we willing to truly engage this, even with ourselves?

Most of us tend to play Jedi mind tricks with ourselves when it comes to the reality of our lives.  We like to compare our lives to others often to minimize our issues.  I don’t have an issues with alcohol, I don’t drink as much as my friend, I don’t work too much I am able to spend more time with my family then my boss does, my weight is not that high I am better off than her.  And we diminish the reality of what is going on around us, so that we don’t have to change anything, so that we don’t have to deal with the tension or idea that we might need to change and reevaluate.  Others though fall into a cycle of self-loathing, where nothing you ever do is good enough, and you struggle with your own worth and worthiness.

Authenticity with self is a process and journey I invite you on and to begin with these scriptural foundations.

  1. We are all sinners in need of a savior (Romans 3:24-26).
  2. Left to our own devices we will sin and tend to do our own thing instead of following God. (Romans 7:15)
  3. Jesus died and rose because of God’s love for you (Romans 5:15-21), so that you might experience deep forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and new life in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

I believe that authenticity is a key to our growth and transformation.  Understand that it is not always easy, often messy, and a process that needs to be filled with grace and truth.  Start that journey today by looking in the mirror, and honestly assessing your current reality, and come back next week as we look at being authentic with God our creator.

 

Pastor Bill