It is so difficult to be real these days. Have you noticed how everything has become so political? I am not talking about the politics we see on the nightly news or Twitter. I’m referring to the daily activity of life. With social media, we feel we have to be on our guard all the time – making sure we are keeping that perfect image.
When we are around people, we want them to think we have it all together. We think we can’t let our guard down or show our weaknesses for fear that we will be overlooked or mistreated. We have bought into the fear that if we don’t look out for ourselves, then the world will walk all over us.
I am not denying that there is substance to the fear of being mistreated. But I would call into question the source of the fear. I believe what drives the fear is that we have bought into the lie that what we see in the world is real – and even worse – that what we see is all there is to be seen.
Stop
and think about this for a second, if you are concerned about presenting the perfect image, don’t you think everyone else is concerned about doing the same? So if all you are seeing from others is their facade, then you have to agree that none of it is real – or at best, partially real.
Our hope must remain grounded on what we know to be real – God and his truth. If our foundation is God and the truth that he has given us, then we begin to realize that it is acceptable to be authentic. In fact, once we have tested the solid ground, we might even realize being real is what God intended all along.
How liberating it would be if everyone was genuine all the time! Today, focus some of your effort on being real. Start with being real with God.
Be blessed today!
re things, breeds within us a sense of independence and a false sense of security. Our grip on things becomes so tight we can’t even imagine life any other way. But the terrifying reality is the grip those things begin to have on us.
Of course, when there are ups there have to be downs. And so it was fun to watch these bikers reach the top and then get to coast. The only thing they had to worry about then was getting up to speeds that would cause them to lose control.
This Christmas, what gift will you bring to the manger? What can you possibly offer to the Savior of the world? Is there anything of value you can give?
around a fire in the chimnea at Christmas. But I also have to say, having a cold snap is refreshing as well. My perspective changes a bit when I can literally see the breath escaping from my mouth. It reminds me how precious the act of breathing is even though we take it for granted daily. When it is cold outside, I am reminded of the fragility of our lives.
Clay in the Hands 