bestie and I
got to spend a few hours together today
while on our outing
I was reminder of how
very
very
very
thankful I am for the level of authenticity that we share
~it’s rare
au·then·tic
[aw-then-tik] Show IPA
adjective
1.
not false or copied; genuine; real: an authentic antique.
Several years ago
During a troublesome, sad season
I was given and encouraged to read the book
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren (CHANGED. MY. LIFE.)
In his book, Rick expresses his thoughts on authentic fellowship:
Authentic fellowship is not superficial, surface-level chit-chat. It’s genuine, heart-to-heart, sometimes gut-level, sharing.
It happens when people get honest about who they are and what is happening in their lives. They share their hurts, reveal their feelings, confess their failures, disclose their doubts, admit their fears, acknowledge their weaknesses, and ask for help and prayer.
People wear masks, keep their guards up, and act as if everything is rosy in their lives.
These attitudes are the death of real friendship.
(can I get an AMEN Rick!?)
It’s only as we become open about our lives that we experience authentic fellowship. The Bible says, “If we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other.… If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves” (1 John 1:7–8, NCV).
The world thinks intimacy occurs in the dark, but God says it happens in the light. We tend to use darkness to hide our hurts, faults, fears, failures and flaws.
But in the light, we bring them all out into the open and
admit who we really are.
Of course, being authentic requires
both courage and humility.
It means facing our fear of exposure, rejection and being hurt again.
Why would anyone take such a risk?
Because it’s the only way to grow spiritually and be emotionally healthy. The Bible says, “Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed” ( James 5:16a, Msg)
is authenticity easy?
not always.
is it necessary?
yes, if you value your relationships and want them to last
and I do
and choose to be
thankful#20: authenticity