Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17
Be authentic.
Right.
It seems we have a generation of people trying out something new – from the likes of pastors to celebrities to politicians. No more hiding. Getting real is what’s relatable. Personally, I love it. I write about it. I believe in it. I think it’s effective…
Except, you know, are any of us actually capable of doing it???
POINT: Which of these descriptions would you say is Authentic/Transparent/Just keepin’ it real’:
- I’m wrapped in a blanket because this girl is always cold, and the old fireplace in our new family room isn’t functional. I wish the estimate to bring it back to life wasn’t so shocking to my freezing toes. Yet, here I sit, having cleaned all day long, stealing a second for my tired body. The one that’s wearing my old faithful tee with my favorite capri sweatpants. Clothes that are also secretly known as my pajamas, which I indeed slept in last night, then took my kids to school in this morning, and also returned to pick them up in, 8 hours later.
OR
- I’m sitting hear in my favorite comfy clothes, with my toes wrapped in our softest blanket – the one the kids normally steal before I can get to it! The entire house is finally spotless, in the kind of “Heather Order” that brings me peace. I’m looking at the sweet stockings hung, for the first year ever, on a beautiful fireplace mantel. I’m grateful for this tiny moment. I settle in.
Just a few honest minutes from a hectic day. Which is more authentic? The tired, dirty mom or the one who’s basking in a minute of peace? Both are absolutely me. But which one should a good “Christian” put out there? A better blend of the two? Perhaps. But with all the emotions, all the perspectives, and all the highs and lows of the small moments, let alone whole seasons, how in the world can anyone share it all accurately?
Is authentic, for instance, posting the gorgeous family photos we all adore (eh-hem, envy) ALONG with the crash-n-burn outtakes?
Is being authentic deflecting a compliment with “I got this dress on the clearance rack“. Because a simple, “thank you“, might lead someone to believe you have more cash for clothes than you do?
Is being authentic sharing the pain of parenting, the heartbreak of divorce, the depths of addiction, or the shame of low self-esteem? After all, speaking openly about private pain is not easy, but there is no question that its potential to reach hearts is huge. We love to relate to and route for the desperate soul.
When the Lord tells me to write about my heartache, those blogs get shared easily 5 times more than the ones where He’s telling me to talk about His provision.
Because when authenticity is framed by God’s provision… it’s often confused with conceit:
- You found a hot, wealthy, Christian spouse? Don’t rub your marriage into my single misery.
- You got an awesome promotion? Must be nice having everything handed to you.
- Why are you so confident? You’re not all that.
- You say you’re a Christian, but all I’m hearing is how great your life is.
The root of the problem: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 Being a Christian is about breakthrough – from the curse of sin and death AND every other pit in which the enemy tries to keep you bound.
If we want to show Christ to the world, it should be about the way He meets us in our pain and then PULLS US OUT. Because the relatable story might be about what’s universally hard, but the point of sharing it is to show the ultimate and steadfast faithfulness of our Father – the HOPE to this broken world.
Want to be Authentic?
- Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15
- Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. Proverbs 27:2
- Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
I’m a long-time Christian who still gets a great deal wrong and often forgets important truths right after learning the hard lessons. I use this platform in hopes that some part of my mis-steps might help you avoid your own. Do I strike the right balance of me vs God? Try as I may, probably not. But this isn’t a secret way to promote myself. Actually, if it were about me, I wouldn’t do it all. But, He told me to write, and it’s His call on my life that I’m chasing hard after – with my flaws and all. That’s as authentic as I know how to be.
I dare you to reevaluate how being authentic truly looks in your life and how you perceive the authentic in others. Because the lens from which we view ourselves and one another is often deeply flawed. To start with, it’s human, and that’s an everyday uphill battle to overcome. But the Holy Spirit in you is well-trained. He’s your compass. You’ll be surprised by what He leads you to share and when He tells you to shut your trap. He can fine-tune the lens from which you view others, too, and, to be sure, that’s a brave new world. Try it. I am.
Save The Future