Authenticity. It seems so easy, but in practice, it can be very hard.
Why did Jesus use a little child as an example of “the greatest” in his kingdom (Luke 9:46–48)? There's an innocence, a raw honesty, to children that is so easily lost in adulthood. If it was common, he could have drawn anyone from the crowd to illustrate his point, including his disciples. But they were too busy arguing over who was the greatest. They were too occupied with thoughts of future honor, powerful positions, and their own grandeur. They fell victim to the pull of outward acclaim.
And we can fall into the same trap.
With hardly a conscious thought, we can surround ourselves with walls, don our masks, and present an image we believe others want to see and will approve of. Authenticity gets lost along the way. Children are so openly honest: they live from the inside out. As adults, we tend to filter our speech and actions with our perceptions of others’ approval, in addition to the better inclination of filtering them with wisdom and love. I'm practicing the art of living for an audience of one: God.
Since he is Truth, living and loving like him means living authentically—living from the inside out. This can be hard because it requires undoing the lies we collect in life. For example, if I don't believe at my core that God designed and created me with value (Psalm 139:13–14), I won't show the real me. Instead, I'll try to look around and find an image I think others will like, and conform myself to it. When I recognize my worth, though, I have the courage and confidence to be authentic. Honestly, it's an adventure to live the real you—to say and do things that are unique—even when you don't know how they'll be received. Sometimes I'm not great at it, but I'm trying, and it’s freeing!
When we live genuinely and pursue God's plan for our lives, things fall into place. Recognizing God’s unconditional acceptance, the need to concern ourselves with pleasing other people disappears. We find inner rest. We make stronger and deeper connections with friends and family, which yields fullness in life. Everyone has a purpose to fulfill during their short time on earth (see Acts 17:6, Psalm 139:16, Ephesians 2:10). Authenticity enables us live it out, and find in the end that we’re better for it.
