AUTHENTICITY!

Sunday’s Monday

          I’m not sure that all of us understand the definition of authenticity. Dictionary.com defines authenticity as the quality of being authentic and genuineness. For better explanations, I went to dictionary.com for the word authentic and found it not false or copied; genuine; real: representing one’s true nature or beliefs; true to oneself or to the person identified. Webster’s dictionary reads Genuineness, the quality of being genuine original, as the authenticity of the scriptures. William Shakespeare wrote in one of his plays, “To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.” The word authentic first appeared in 1300 – 50, and authenticity was first seen around 1650 – 60 from the Late Latin word authenticus. Now, one would think after all that time, humans would have a full grip on the word and its meaning, but sadly, many don’t.

     Most have grown so deceptive over the years that we’ve become some of the greatest actors ever. We cloak our genuine feelings and live in fear, worry, shame, etc. At some point in our lives, we have allowed the world to dictate who we should be and why. We enabled the world to smother our self-confidence, internally bury our self-esteem, and have us forsake the real us for who we believe it wants us to be. As bad as this sounds, some find that being a counterfeit can often be quite lucrative. Most of us are painfully forsaken as we lose faith in ourselves and our creator. Our natural, authentic self frequently begs to be freed, but we choose fear, worry, and misery in our weakness. The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:9-10 (NLT), Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

     I was reminded this week of something I learned during my drinking days, and I don’t think many people have a grasp on its value. I just addressed the first authenticity, being who we are; the second, surrendering the outcome; we can’t always control the ending, but we can accept it, learn, and move on, facing the uncomfortable work that comes with being authentic in all we do, honesty sometimes hurts. However, as unpleasant as it sounds, these three reveals and God’s guidance will make your paths straight. We may have no choices in “our beginning,” but our choices dictate who we are at our end. All too many of us shrink, hide, or run from a challenge, but challenges are what it takes for us to grow; some of our greatest strengths come from our worst failures. God tells us we are prepared in 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT), For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

     Father God, I pray we find a deep desire to know who we are, especially in you. I have to know who I “really” am “to me,” not for what I’ve done but for my belief in you, hope in your promises, and visions. Lord, remind me often of Romans 12:3 (NLT); because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in evaluating yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Please help me to employ the three principles discussed in today’s blog and incorporate them with your words. Father, all I want to do is become a better servant to you and your kingdom, and I pray this for everyone who reads this prayer. Grant us the strength to believe in Hebrews 13:5-7 NLT: Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you, and the wisdom to live Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT), Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. I say again, thank you for being my Father by your choice. I love you. Amen

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!

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