My mom gave me some great advice some time ago (she gives a lot of great advice!) that stuck with me. She said "Always be authentic, regardless of what other people do because that is the only way to feel good about "you," and to maintain your self respect.
Let's look at some synonyms for the word authentic:
bona fide, genuine, real, true, undoubted, unquestionable. These adjectives mean not counterfeit or copied
The antonym for authentic is counterfeit.
I've seen this trait in my mom, throughout my life...and my dad, as well. My dad passed away 6 years ago, suddenly, from Leukemia and, at his funeral, the minister quoted a Bible verse that spoke volumes about him. "Though being dead, yet he speaks." The people at my dad's funeral all said the same things to us over and over, again, with a little variation... Friends, co-workers, neighbors..."Joe was the real deal. He was genuine, always the same, regardless of who was around. You knew, if Joe told you something, you could count on it as the truth and if he ever felt he had to compromise his values to do something, he wouldn't do it and would make it known, but in a humble way..." I want to be more like my dad was!
In our quest to be authentic, we need to take care to remain humble. When we are confronted with a situation that is offensive to what we believe is right or when asked a difficult question that makes it hard to answer, truthfully, we need to keep that humility as our close companion. But be authentic, we must. If we stand for nothing, as the saying goes, we will fall for anything. There are times that the only honorable thing to do is to let it be known that this isn't something I participate in or that I would appreciate it if you didn't share those types of emails with me...or I really don't want to be involved in talking about so and so. In doing this, we also gain the respect and confidence of our family and friends. My brother and I both had such confidence in the character, honesty and genuineness of our dad. That is a treasure worth far more than gold, friends! We aren't talking perfection - but authenticity! We saw his faults but so did he, which made them far more forgiveable!
There is also the authenticity that is needed when we are made to feel as though something we are doing is wrong and we, in the honesty of our hearts before God and with his Word as our confirmation, don't believe it is. In this, there are times to share our conviction and times when we simply choose to live, quietly and confidently, in the liberty that Jesus gave us, but not with an "in your face" mentality. Our first response is to consider what the loving thing is to do with the liberties we are afforded. It may mean modification of certain liberties in the presence of some individuals, not becasue we are being hypocritical but because God tells us that is a very serious offense to cause a brother or sister to stumble in their faith. (Romans 14:21, I Cor. 8:13, Luke 17:2) Love must always be the guiding factor. If we are asked, however, how we feel about a particular thing, our answer must be honest, tempered with a humble spirit. Remember, "A soft answer turns away wrath but harsh words stir up anger." (Proverbs 15:1)
There is yet another need for genuineness and that is speaking the truth with those we love and have relationships with. If we are only "yes" partners and friends, how are we genuine? How will we grow? Sometimes it isn't comfortable to be genuine. It is much easier to be a chameleon and change with the person or group we are with or not to speak a difficult truth in the face of a confrontational situation, but do we accomplish the greater good of showing the love of God this way? Ephesians 4:1-2 begs this of the believer: “…to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” After reading this part of the passage in Ephesians, only then are we ready for the verse later in the chapter,which tells us to "speak the truth in love." Speaking truth without love will lead to resentment and closed ears. Remember, in your delivery, God knows everything about YOU and yet he loves you and is gentle with you, when teaching you truths about yourself and his Word.
If we are people pleasers or are letting our pride rule, we will be tempted to forego genuineness in situations we really don't agree with but I'll leave you with this thought. Don't you have more respect for those who we stand for the true values they hold in their hearts, rather than just going along with status quo? There are millions of people who just go with the flow. When someone is genuine and humble in standing for what is right, others will take notice.
Let's ask God to give us the grace to be authentic in all of our relationships and to have humble hearts as we walk in the authenticity of who we are as Christians and as individuals.
Still Climbing,
Cher
Thursday
"For The Despondent, Every Day Bings Trouble. For The Happy Heart, Life Is A Continual Feast."
Job said, "Man is born to trouble as the sparks from a flame fly upward." Guess Job could say that, huh? I've heard it said, you are either in a time of trouble or one is around the corner! Not a very optimistic view! And YET, what I want to leave here today is that life is good and God is even "gooder!"
As we head into a long weekend, lets remember to count our blessings. My thought is a simple and overused one but I hope it gives you cause for pause..."Don't worry, be happy!" A positive approach to life serves us well, especially in difficult times. Heartache will happen and pain is inevitable in this life but, if we keep our focus on having thankful hearts, serving him and each other and trusting that God is as near as our breath and able to give us grace for whatever each new day brings, we can be victorious. :-D
My love and prayers for my webfriends and have a wonderful weekend. Remember, in all you do, BE PRESENT!
Still Climbing,
Cher
As we head into a long weekend, lets remember to count our blessings. My thought is a simple and overused one but I hope it gives you cause for pause..."Don't worry, be happy!" A positive approach to life serves us well, especially in difficult times. Heartache will happen and pain is inevitable in this life but, if we keep our focus on having thankful hearts, serving him and each other and trusting that God is as near as our breath and able to give us grace for whatever each new day brings, we can be victorious. :-D
My love and prayers for my webfriends and have a wonderful weekend. Remember, in all you do, BE PRESENT!
Still Climbing,
Cher
Friday
A Conscience Void Of Offense
Girlfriends!!!
Warm hearted greetings! I have been ill this week and am trying to get back on my feet...have missed our coffee room chats! Pull up a chair and read with me a most inspiring and challenging thought from the book of Acts.
When defending himself to the Governor before his accusers, Paul made quite a statement. In Act 24, he begins by saying he is very happy to speak for himself and, in verse 16, he says, "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men." Wow!
I read that and had to ask myself, do I practice this..."to always have my conscience void of offense...?" No, I'm afraid I do not. There are times that I am shamefully aware that I have either caused or am carrying some offense around, in my conscience, toward God or man. I know I've said something that needs to be repented of or I have done something that hurt someone, even if at times it is only God who is having to bear my offense. The remedy for this is summed up in one simple word and one from which we shy away; humility. If I can only humble myself, at the beginning and end of each day, and ask God to shine the searchlight of his all knowing and all loving eye into my heart, he will be faithful to reveal to me any offense that resides in my heart...or in the heart of someone else, as it relates to my choices. Ideally, we will begin to ask God as we walk through our day, particularly when facing a difficult situation, to keep us from offense. Sometimes it isn't that I have initiated conflict or caused the initial rift but could it be in my reaction? The Bible says that, as a Christian, I am an ambassador for Christ, and, therefore, a representative who has a higher calling than an eye for an eye mentality...
Let's pray for an open and humble heart that desires to always be without offense, either on our part or in causing it in someone else's heart. Most often, offense comes by our tongue, as we are told in the book of James, but we know it isn't really about taming our tongue, but rather asking God to change our hearts. If God shows us an offense, let's pray for grace to humble ourselves, quickly, and remove it from our conscience. Peace is the sweet reward! And....it doesn't depend on the response of the other party (unless it's God :-)and he is ready and willing to forgive! We can do what we know is right and leave the results with him. The Bible instructs as, "As much as it lies within YOU, live at peace with all men."
Have a wonderful weekend and if you are facing overwhelming circumstances in your life, right now, ask the Lord to keep you extra close to him and to give you grace that you can keep a conscience void of offense. I know I need more awareness and humility in my heart!
Still Climbing,
Cher
Warm hearted greetings! I have been ill this week and am trying to get back on my feet...have missed our coffee room chats! Pull up a chair and read with me a most inspiring and challenging thought from the book of Acts.
When defending himself to the Governor before his accusers, Paul made quite a statement. In Act 24, he begins by saying he is very happy to speak for himself and, in verse 16, he says, "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men." Wow!
I read that and had to ask myself, do I practice this..."to always have my conscience void of offense...?" No, I'm afraid I do not. There are times that I am shamefully aware that I have either caused or am carrying some offense around, in my conscience, toward God or man. I know I've said something that needs to be repented of or I have done something that hurt someone, even if at times it is only God who is having to bear my offense. The remedy for this is summed up in one simple word and one from which we shy away; humility. If I can only humble myself, at the beginning and end of each day, and ask God to shine the searchlight of his all knowing and all loving eye into my heart, he will be faithful to reveal to me any offense that resides in my heart...or in the heart of someone else, as it relates to my choices. Ideally, we will begin to ask God as we walk through our day, particularly when facing a difficult situation, to keep us from offense. Sometimes it isn't that I have initiated conflict or caused the initial rift but could it be in my reaction? The Bible says that, as a Christian, I am an ambassador for Christ, and, therefore, a representative who has a higher calling than an eye for an eye mentality...
Let's pray for an open and humble heart that desires to always be without offense, either on our part or in causing it in someone else's heart. Most often, offense comes by our tongue, as we are told in the book of James, but we know it isn't really about taming our tongue, but rather asking God to change our hearts. If God shows us an offense, let's pray for grace to humble ourselves, quickly, and remove it from our conscience. Peace is the sweet reward! And....it doesn't depend on the response of the other party (unless it's God :-)and he is ready and willing to forgive! We can do what we know is right and leave the results with him. The Bible instructs as, "As much as it lies within YOU, live at peace with all men."
Have a wonderful weekend and if you are facing overwhelming circumstances in your life, right now, ask the Lord to keep you extra close to him and to give you grace that you can keep a conscience void of offense. I know I need more awareness and humility in my heart!
Still Climbing,
Cher
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