After a decades of being deep into Photoshop, diet supplements, faux fur, lip syncing pop-stars and artificial everything, we as a culture are craving real more than ever.
You’ve heard the cry in the recent phrase coined “keep it 100″. Urban dictionary defines it as to keep yourself real and true, or to be honest and stick to the way you are. I can’t help but think there’s something Biblical about that. In our daily life, we are called to walk in truth, have grace for our mistakes, and become the person God created us to be.
In reality, that seems easier said than done though, right? It can be tempting to just embrace a facade, but people are pretty good about calling fake when they see it. Throwing up a front, weaving a web of lies, or pretending we are someone we’re not never really ends well. Instead, we can actually draw others in and have meaningful relationships by being our true, authentic selves.
When we go through life inauthentically, it points to a deeper problem. Do we know who we are, whose we are, and why we are created? We find that affirmation in its fullest form by reading God’s Word, but here are just a few highlights:
- You were created to be unique and original by God.
- You are His beloved, and there is nothing you can do to make Him love you less or more.
- You have been given a specific gift mix and personality to represent God in all that you do and help lead others to discover His love for them, too.
I love the way the Message translation puts this call to action in Galatians 6:4-5. “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.”
If we embrace these truths with the core of who we are, we wouldn’t want to be anyone else. Only you, the God-given you, can fulfill the plans He has for you. When you are yourself, rooted in the identity and purpose God has given you, His irresistible love and grace pours out through you and into the lives of others. He wants to use you, exactly as He made you, to draw others to Himself through your life. There is nothing more real than that in all of existence.
Our authenticity brings God glory, allows us to fulfill His plan for our life, and helps others on their own becoming journey.
So let’s get out there and start keepin’ it 100.
