A Call for Authenticity

We are living in a world where almost every person now has an online identity.  We carefully craft the way we want others to see us. We can filter our photos and upload only those in which we look our best.  We are more brave to share our opinions, because we can hide behind the screen. Each time we scroll through a NewsFeed, we become more and more addicted and entrenched in the game.  The comparison game. Jealousy enters our hearts before we can blink, and dissention is bound to arise. I’ve seen it. I’ve experienced it. I’ve put myself on detox from it, only to return right back to it because I am a social being and I love connecting with others.  As much fun as Social Media can be, Real Life is so much more abundant and rewarding than any virtual reality that is found online. I hear God calling me to vocalize a call for authenticity. I hear Him calling for our generation to reach out to each other, offering helping hands to our neighbors, and tearing down walls of judgment.  

I believe it can start when we make the conscious decision to just be ourselves. Be who God created YOU to be. Online. In person. With family. With friends. With colleagues. When we meet new people. When we go to a party with a room full of people we’ve never met. When we go out to eat. When we volunteer at our children’s schools. In the grocery store. Everywhere we go. God has called us to be a light for Him. How can we do that when we put on a mask and work hard to project a certain image? The only image that matters is bearing the image of Him. The Almighty. Our Father.

So I have decided to take off the mask. (Go into public without makeup sometimes!) Let my scars show, if you will. Because we all have them. We all have something that makes us feel broken. Something in our past, or something we are dealing with in the present. A pain. A season of suffering that comes back to haunt us. A weakness in our character that we try and try to change about ourselves to no avail. But I am here to encourage you to let those scars show. Let other people in so that they can help you through it.

What would happen if we limit our screen time and started putting more emphasis on real, live, personal relationships?

What would happen if we were courageous enough to share our painful experiences with each other, starting honest conversation without sweeping tough subjects under the rug?

What would happen if we started listening to others with open minds to gain understanding and provide encouragement, deconstructing the wall of judgement?  

What would happen if we started fully accepting God’s Grace, believing that His mercy and love for us is unconditional?  And even greater, what if we showered that same grace on others, letting them know that we can love them unconditionally?

What would happen if we stopped putting so much effort in seeking the approval of others, and we kept our feet planted firmly on the fact that God created us all to be unique with different gifts and talents?

I have come to a point in my life where I feel God calling me to get very “real” with people. I’ve shared my testimony with numerous people, and every time I say it out loud, I become more courageous. God has given me a unique story that testifies of His unfailing love. And when others begin to open up to me about their story, I find so much encouragement and I love to see how God is working. I know there are so many more stories out there just waiting to be shared. Will you join me?