I am continuing with 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes which means I’m writing for five minutes on a prompt each day in October. I’d love for you to follow along with me on this journey or better yet, join in at http://www.fiveminutefridays.com
Time starts now:
“when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:21-22a, 23-24 (NIV) / Pixabay
I’ve been accused of stretching the truth from time to time. Not in a bad way but to make a story more exciting or entertaining. A word here. A phrase there. Soon, my tale takes on a new life. From then on, it changes with each new telling and its sometimes difficult to remember the story in its original form.
We can make the stories of our own lives like that, too. The parts we share with others on social media, in the work place, at church for that matter, tend to be the enhanced versions. A name dropped here. A fashion label there. We let the world see the embellished form of ourselves; the more exciting and entertaining versions and soon, we forget who we really are. Have you been there? I think we all have.
The older I get the more I value those around me that I can tell the truth about myself to. Those friends who see me at my worst. Family who love me despite my shortcomings. A church family who prays for me when I am weak. Exposed. Vulnerable. Real. Being who I am in my original form is scary. It’s uncomfortable. But it’s also freeing!
The truth is: God never intended for us to hide behind fig leaves or anything else. He formed us just exactly as He wanted us to be and knew it was good. No. Embellishing. Needed. So, let’s take off our masks, get reacquainted with our authentic selves, and introduce them to the world. After all, sharing the truth is the greatest story we can ever tell!
Time is up!
Oh Gayl, you are so right! I have spent a lot of wasted time making sure I appeared to have it all together when really I was a mess! As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized that being myself is what God intends not a perfect version (like that can happen!) I so appreciate your comments! Thanks for stopping by!
I love this post! “So, let’s take off our masks, get reacquainted with our authentic selves, and introduce them to the world.” Amen! It’s some important to be “real” in this world. There are so many ways to be fake, but we need to be authentic and ready to share Christ through our lives.
Blessings to you!