REAL

So that you mat be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.  Philippians 1:10 NIV

Real.  Sincere.  Without wax.  Not hypocritical.  Pure.  Blameless.  Authentic.

That’s a long string of words basically meaning the same thing: being genuine, acting genuine – being transparent.

This can be done poorly – the letting-it-all-hang-out thing, or just plain and simple, being yourself.  Warts and all.

Aren’t we drawn to those who are real, not wearing a mask, but tender-hearted and soft?  Yes, I would say we are.  We want authentic people in our lives, all around because plastic eventually wears out, fades and becomes brittle.

Not only do we want others like this around us, but we, ourselves, should be real as well.  Plastering on a fake smile, forcing a good attitude can be very tiring.

But how do we go from being – fake it until you make it – to true genuineness?

There’s really only one answer: Jesus.

He is real, genuine, Truth, authentic, blameless and for those of us who have a relationship with Him, He is our Teacher so He will teach us how to be real.

As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians (backing up a verse) –

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.  For I want you to understand what really matters so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.  Philippians 1:9-10 NLT

Paul wanted us to understand what really matters.  And what would that be?  Jesus.  A walk with Him.  Honoring God with all we are and all we have.  Loving God and loving

others.  Knowing God and making Him known.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT

These are the brass tacks of life, so to speak.  The foundation of a true, authentic walk with Christ.

But, sin, suffering, life, get in the way.  How do we maintain real in the midst of pain?  How do we put a smile on our face in the middle of agony?  This is a tough one and one in which I dealt with for over 5 years.  I can be summed up with:

The joy of the LORD is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10

And it is not easy.  It was probably one of the aspects of suffering that made me pause more than once.  How to put on a happy face when on the inside I was in agony?  And most folks don’t want to hear the litany of issues, trauma, or otherwise.  Most folks prefer the pat answer of, “I’m fine.”  Or, if they probe, you begin, but they soon take over with their experience and you now are the audience rather than the speaker.

I have had to catch myself numerous times about adding my experience while talking with someone – because I am not the center of the conversation.  It is my friend, it is Jesus.  It is not all about me.  Even though I want it to be.

It is a dying to self, and becoming real at the same time.  It is listening and engaging in others’ lives and encouraging others in Christ and lifting the name of Jesus higher.

It is not being a hypocrite, but being profuse and genuine in our love for God and others.  It is humbly sharing we don’t have it all together, but we are learning, even in the hurt, we are learning to let go and let God.

Being real is basically a giving of self so as to level the playing field, becoming a Roman while in Rome, and living alongside others.

It is letting go of our rights to be heard, seen, accounted for.  It is seeking God and His kingdom first and letting Him take care of the rest.  It is being single-focused and being okay with being narrowminded because your focus is in your lane, your very narrow lane as you walk the narrow path of holiness.

If someone complains that you are narrowminded, say, “thank you.”  Why?  Because others have noticed your hyper-focus on Jesus and your time has become precious to honor Him in all things and not to participate in the things of this world.

Time is short, folks.  God is preparing us to be pure and blameless in the day of Christ which is fast approaching.  Why not spend our time in being real, asking about others, and talking about Jesus?

This is where the rubber hits the road.  It’s where fantasy is replaced by reality and it is a good thing because Christ is in the middle with His people being genuine, authentic, and on fire for Him.

Care to join me?

PRAYER

Father God, You are True, real, and awesome. I so desire to live a pure and blameless life but I need to learn from the Master what that looks like. Can You please show me? I want to honor and glorify Your Name and be real for others too. Even in the pain, the loneliness; the good times and bad. I want to be without wax - trying to cover something up and passing myself off as genuine. I want to be real. I want You in my life. I want You to be my All. I am Yours.