What Does Your Authenticity Look Like?

When the name of my blog came about, I knew hands down that it was God-inspired.  For one, I was far from thinking about starting another blog.  The first one was a mess and I didn't have the energy nor time to put into another one.  Second, I was deeply engaged in one of my favorite pastimes, Pinterest...just effortlessly pinning away and creating new boards (ahh how I love Pinterest).  The name "Authentically Spoken" came as a whisper.  But this whisper was one I immediately recognized as not being my own voice or thoughts.  Before the thoughts swirl in your head about this, please trust the journey; I'm actually going somewhere with this =)

You see, when God gave me that title for my blog, though I instantly reacted and jumped on the computer, my inner conversation began (you know, the one that usually causes us to stop in our tracks and eventually retreat)  "How can I measure up to this name? I am FAR from authentic!"  Sure, I've used the phrases "I'm just keeping it real" or "I'm keeping it 100" or "I'm a realist!" many, many times before. I shake my head now, because I couldn't have been SO FAR from the truth.  As a matter of fact, I fooled myself for many years with those phrases.  In those phrases, I was able to portray that I was 100% authentic...that what people saw is what they were going to get.  I spoke what was on my mind, acted out how I felt, all in the name of being real.

But here was and is the reality of my authenticity.  I have come to recognize and acknowledge that I'm broken.  I hid behind opaque walls for so long, eventually forgetting my own image. I carry many scars of self inflicted abuse, abuse by others, neglect, resentment, bitterness, and many other things.  I didn't like who I was so I put on the clothing of a persona that was more of a "comfortable fit" for me.  And that's what so many of us do.  We toss around words and phrases, hide behind fortresses, live pretentiously, but yet fail to really understand the true meaning behind anything.

One of the most powerful people in the bible in view of authenticity was King David.  Many know the story and struggles of David.  What's so beautiful is the fact that God allowed David's transparency to be conveyed through scripture.  Psalm 51 is one such display.  In Psalm 51:3-5, he says, "I admit that I am rebellious.  My sin is always in front of me. I have sinned against you, especially you.  I have done what you consider evil.  So you hand down justice when you speak, and you are blameless when you judge.  Indeed, I was born guilty.  I was a sinner when my mother conceived me."  

So for me, authenticity is no longer about me "keeping real, being real, being 100!" Rather, it's me acknowledging that I'm a sinner who has been delivered by the saving grace and unyielding love of God.  Authenticity is me measuring myself against the word of God and what He says about my life and who I am in Him.

I still have my struggles as we all do.  But my hope is that for you and I to discover that our real selves lie in the knowledge and power of Christ.  Who we are is no longer who we used to be (2 Corinthians 5:17).  So start today and make the choice to stand up and stand out of the crowd of so called realists, and be the authentic beautiful person GOD intended for you to be.

Be blessed!