Live an authentic life!
Where the
world encourages destructive behaviours and attitudes such as “be cool, or act
cool”, “pretend you don’t care” or “tone down your excitement”; I’d like to
propose that this kind of thinking is what destroys authenticity. We trade in honesty
for likes. We give up our truth to gain a false sense of respect and affirmation
from people who don’t even know the real you.
The world or popular culture will have you sacrificing your soul for fake validation and meaningless attention. We’ve become so accustomed to portraying a cool or “acceptable” version of ourselves that many of us don’t know or appreciate our true selves. We’ve become casualties of destructive societal norms.
After coincidently
having a few conversations relating to authenticity and pretentiousness, I
reflected on the below scripture, addressing this issue of conforming to the dangerous
norms of this world. (Yes, another sermon! 😊)
I’m sure
some can relate…I often have to remind myself that my greatest and only
audience is God! No other person’s opinion of me matters or has any impact on
my identity. I don’t have to compete to be liked or accepted by anyone!
To be honest
with you, living authentically is not an easy thing to do, but God helps us
when we are willing to be vulnerable, humble, and 100% real with ourselves.
That being said, I’d like to share a few take-aways I got from reading the below scripture.
Romans
12:2 reads, “Do not
conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind…”
NLT
version says…Don’t
copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a
new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s
will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
This chapter
later speaks of the body having different parts or members that perform
different functions, and that they are ALL equally important.
Verse 6 reads,
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your
gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is
serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then
give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do
it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” How powerful is that, right! 😊
Basically,
we are called to be ourselves, to be authentic, unapologetic, and to be zealous
for the things of God. We are called to always go the extra mile in doing the
right thing; in doing the thing that God has given YOU the grace to do. Don’t
copy anyone else, only YOU can do YOU authentically.
And in
order to live out the abovementioned gifts, we must be fervent in our love for
God and in our love for people. You cannot serve people you don’t love; you
cannot encourage people you don’t love; you cannot give to people you don’t love;
you cannot lead people you don’t love; you cannot pray for people you don’t
love. Can I get an Amen please!
A quick encouragement to those who feel that people are not doing right by them. We sometimes feel despondent and so hurt by people not “serving us”, by people not “giving us what we need” or people not “saying what we want to hear”. Here’s a nugget for you…Stop wanting love and validation from people who haven’t been given the grace to love you!
Love
yourself and give yourself some credit. Be true to yourself and what’s yours
will come to you, even though it may tarry. The right people will treasure you
the way you deserve to be treasured. But most importantly, God sees you, God loves
you and God will reward you!
Be kind to
yourself. Treat yourself with patience and love. Choose yourself first. Live an
authentic life!
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