Be Real

Being authentic is difficult these days isn't it? We all want to impress each other. Being real is not about digging deep down inside of yourself and striving hard to find the depth of who you really are. That is not what is real. That sort of thinking only glorifies self once we reach the "depths of who we are."

    Every time I notice in myself that I am starting to behave in a way that I know is not really giving glory to God, I do a heart check. If I am recognizing within myself a desire to act differently than who I know God wants me to be, I pray.
I do a stop, check and pray sort of routine.
I line my thinking up with the word of God. I mentally check my speech and my behavior.
Is my thinking glorifying God by authentically playing on who I desire to be for the Lord? Are my thoughts, attitudes and actions lining up with His? (Jesus') and am I looking like Him in what I am doing at that moment? If I cannot answer yes to those questions I posed to myself, than I need to stop, and silently ask the Lord for the ability to rest in Him, and respond in His strength, not my own.
Usually it's not blatant desire to act differently, sometimes it's nerves, sometimes it's fear, and sometimes it's a deep desire to make a good impression. All of which have human origin. Checking my behavior is good. But behavior modification is not what the Lord desires. He does like it when we change from dark to light, but He wants me to do it in His strength, propelled by the desire to bring Him as much glory as I can with my life. My life, my actions and my words, ought to be song of praise to my King of Kings.

This is where authenticity takes root. It's a life that is rooted, and built up on the foundation of Jesus Christ. It's the heart and mind that are constantly set on His desires, His ways and His responses.
It's not getting caught up in human ambition, but rather keeping the interests of Christ in mind at all times.
It's not relying upon myself for the right answer to reach a desired end. Instead, it is asking God for the words, the strength and the desire to behave, and exist in any given situation as He would want me to.
I do this why?
I don't know, what would you say? Which is better? Masks? Are masks warm, comforting and do they give you a feeling of real authentic relationships? Or does just the word "mask" imply that there is something that is being covered up??
I think so.
I don't want my life to be a mask. I don't want to mask up a life that COULD and SHOULD give GOD glory with all it's coming and goings. I do have the day in and day out opportunity to bring my Creator glory with who I AM.
So who am I?
I want to be pleasing to the Father, but not to put myself in better standing with Him, but rather to create real relationships on earth that encourage others. That build's others up, and that
 points with massive applause to the one I worship heavenward.
If my life is masked, so is my ability to bring Him glory.
Authenticity is only authentic when Christ is there.
You can be sincere in who you THINK you are, (or you can be someone different to everyone) but if I am not displaying who Christ is in me, I am not really living real.
I can find common ground with many different people, but I should be who I am regardless of who I am with.
SO here is who I am.
A child of God.
He made me unique, and He made me to be here on earth, right now so I can display His character (hopefully) to whomever I am with. In season and out of season. For His glory. For His kingdom. Until He calls me home.
It's a life long walk of adventure, loving on people as I get the privilege to, and it's about being obedient to Him when He calls, speaks and shows me His will for me.
That is authentic living.
That is real life.
It's not perfect, (but then no one but Christ is)....but it's fulfilling, and joy filled. It's an adventure. That's the real deal.