This morning as I was watching the news the reporter was talking politics\u2026he was discussing different candidates – one in particular that speaks very bluntly and authentically. My ears pick up at that word: \u201cauthentically\u201d. The reporter said people in this country were looking for someone who was authentic.<\/p>\n
Do you agree with that? Is authenticity important? Can you live authentically in today\u2019s world?<\/p>\n
I think we all are looking for people who are genuine, honest, unpretentious\u2026but where do we find them? With our world of hype and spin and downright lying \u2013 even from our leaders, maybe I should say especially from our leaders \u2013 authentic people are hard to find.<\/p>\n
Sadly, even in church we find people who wear masks \u2013 projecting authenticity but behind the mask is a life that is hidden because of shame, guilt, fear\u2026<\/p>\n
How do I know? I have been there. I know what it is like to walk into church with my Sunday mask on hiding a broken life. One particular Sunday, I walked in and sat in the pew. A friend was sitting behind me and leaned over to ask how I was. I smiled and said, \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d The service started and I thought, \u201cYou know I just lied to her. I am not fine.\u201d As we left the sanctuary I confessed to her that I had lied and was going through a difficult time.<\/p>\n
It is a small thing that speaks to a much bigger issue. Being real. Real with ourselves, with others and with God. It isn\u2019t easy. We fear rejection.<\/p>\n
I want, in this blog space, to explore authenticity and transparency. What does it mean? How do we live it out practically? Are there repercussions \u2013 what are they? Conversely, what are the repercussions if we are not honest?<\/p>\n
I want us to think about it and dialogue about this issue. If a news reporter is saying that people are looking for authenticity in people running for office, then it needs our attention. People are hungry for someone who does not have a hidden agenda and will speak the truth; someone who will be honest but kind and gracious. Is that possible?<\/p>\n
Perhaps you know someone that is authentic. Tell me about them. What are their characteristics? Describe them. How have they lived their life? If you believe you are authentic, how have you done it? What is life like for you? Are there pitfalls to avoid?<\/p>\n
I want to learn from you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This morning as I was watching the news the reporter was talking politics\u2026he was discussing different candidates – one in particular that speaks very bluntly and authentically. My ears pick up at that word: \u201cauthentically\u201d. The reporter said people in this country were looking for someone who was authentic. Do you agree with that? Is…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":466,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n