Authentic. Real, genuine, original.
For these next few days we’re pondering ways to live fully alive. I shared four ways at our recent BYOB and B event, and I’m sharing them here individually. Today we’re exploring the first way: live authentic.
When we think of something authentic, we think of the real deal. Something that’s not counterfeit or fake.
So, how do we live authentic?
How do we live a real-deal kind of life? Two words: be you. Be who God created you to be. There’s freedom in living in and loving and being comfortable in your own skin.
If you’ve ever tried it, you probably agree nothing is more draining than striving to live life pretending to be someone you’re not. Or trying to be like someone else.
Psalm 139 reveals to us God personally designed each one of us and formed us in our mother’s womb. Don’t miss that. Personally designed. He created you to be you and me to be me. I am not you and you are not me. We are unique and authentic.
For You shaped me, inside and out. You knitted me together in my mother’s womb long before I took my first breath.
Psalm 139:13-16 VOICE
I will offer You my grateful heart, for I am Your unique creation, filled with wonder and awe.You have approached even the smallest details with excellence; Your works are wonderful; I carry this knowledge deep within my soul.
You see all things; nothing about me was hidden from You. As I took shape in secret, carefully crafted in the heart of the earth before I was born from its womb.
You see all things; You saw me growing, changing in my mother’s womb;
Every detail of my life was already written in Your book; You established the length of my life before I ever tasted the sweetness of it.
Friend, you are most excellent. God says so.
For much of my young adult life I unintentionally compared myself to other women. Someone was always more beautiful, more talented, more fit than me. Someone had cuter hair, was a better mom, had nicer things than me. As you can imagine, this kind of activity affected not on my relationships, but it affected my self-worth. For years I felt I had to prove myself, and no matter how hard I tried, in my own mind I continued to fall short and couldn’t quite measure up.
A number of years ago, however, God showed me something powerful through a blog post I wrote. What if we as women stopped comparing ourselves and competing against one another and instead, started coming alongside of each other? What if we helped and supported and encouraged one another in this life? We are all just trying to do our best, aren’t we? Wouldn’t it be a gift to know others are rooting for us in this doing-our-best thing?
God blesses us with the gift of one another.
This is the basis for our BYOB and B events. Women, coming together to encourage one another through God and His Word.
So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 VOICE
May we be the women who are known for lifting up other women, spurring them on, and encouraging them to be all God created them to be. And, to live fully alive. What’s one way you and I can build up another today?
It’s nearly impossible to live fully alive if we can’t embrace the real us.
If we don’t live authentic. Friend, celebrate who God made you to be, right here in this moment. Take a few moments and think about what makes you special.
Here’s a thought: at the beginning or ending of every day to take a moment to jot a few words down of what makes you special. Something happens when we see those words about ourselves in black and white. You’re not being boastful or prideful. You are being authentic and giving God glory for who He made you to be.
Beautiful, fully alive, authentic you.
Stop back tomorrow. We’ll look at another way to live fully alive… live open. Thanks for sharing your day with me!
Blessings!
Check out my previous post on this subject here.
Oh my, it is not easy for me to name things I think are special about me. I have lived most of my life feeling as if I’m not enough. I tried so hard but always felt I failed. Me day my husband confronted me for discounting a compliment and out of the blue I said “ If your own dad leaves you, you can’t be worth much”. I had never consciously thought that before but it explained so much. I’ve come a ways since then but old habits and self talk are hard to break. Thank you for your words here. I will try to put them in action!
When God peels back the layers of years of pain, hurt, insecurities, etc. healing begins. That statement that came out of your mouth was profound, Cindy! Healing is happening! I see so many special things in you, even thought we’ve never met in person. You are kind, generous, giving, loving, personable, a talented writer and encourager, a loving wife, mother, grandmother. You are so very special! Can’t wait to meet you one day in person! Much love to you today.