authentically immature?
Ashley posted the following question on her facebook:
Abbye recently posted this answer:
Now, the day she posted this I had completely spilled my guts. I won’t make you read it again by linking – - if you are truly interested you can dig for it – it’s still there. I don’t erase. Anyway, Abbye’s answer made me think. What exactly does it mean to be authentic? It’s a very important question for me. One thing in all this world I want people to say of me is that I am the real deal. Have I used “being authentic” as license to vent? Should I only be semi-transparent, bearing only some of my feelings when I am – - well – - feeling it? Is that healthy? Should I conceal the real crux of the matter so everyone will feel better? Is that what God wants from me? I’ve mulled this over in my heart and mind for a few days now. I’ve prayed for God to give me His heart – because I really want to be right on this. This is what I believe…
I think Abbye is right. The degree to which we put it all out there and how is not authenticity… I think that’s maturity’s call. (ouch!)
Authenticity, I believe, has less to do with what we do or say and more to do with how we take care of the messes we’ve created after the fact.
On maturity - There is no doubt I have some growing up to do… and always will. But each authentic act, accompanied by a humble heart and a steady diet of God’s Word will always work in maturity’s favor.
On authenticity – I think… well, I haven’t found myself posing this time around. I’m a work in progress – but progressing forward none the less. (whew!)
I am blessed to be surround by imperfect people who sometimes suffer from an immature moment; by those who sometimes need to put it all out there to deal with, and then make the necessary modifications to march forward. They live what they say they believe in spite of their imperfections. They choose to believe God’s opinion of them over anyone else’s (even their own). They live determined that their shortcomings will not deter them from loving God and fulfilling their purpose. They use their blunders as tools to demonstrate grace and mercy to others who aren’t so perfect either. They exude hope. They perpetuate love. They won’t give up and are diligent to encourage others not to give up either. That makes them authentic – the genuine article. They inspire me to be better, to reach further, to risk more and most of all, to just simply stand up.
There are a lot of you – - I’m so thankful – - and, I love you all.
- 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Leaders have to lead, regardless of public opinion, with a clear conscious… God deals with our motives. - 1 Timothy 1:12-17
God gives us strength. That HE considers us faithful, is what is really important…. being true to God makes us authentic. - Proverbs 2:1-9
We pray for wisdom and understanding and HE guards our course and protects our way… - Proverbs 27:17
We need each other.
October 30th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
This is my favorite post from you, period. Very well said. I think you are more mature than you give yourself credit for.
October 31st, 2007 at 9:16 am
Ummm…I am showing up in more and more of your blog posts lately.
I loved this post – you said more eloquently what I was trying to say in response to Ashley’s question. (which, but the way, was in no way directed in response to your post…:)
Let’s all grow up together -
October 31st, 2007 at 9:46 am
i know you weren’t talking about me, but you still talked to me… and only the most authentic people i know get repeat mentions on my blog.
November 1st, 2007 at 5:49 am
I think part of maturity is who we vent to. The less we vent to people and the more to God I see as maturity. There are times when we need to just spill our guts and there are times when we want to spill our guts. I believe there’s a difference and knowing the difference is part of it. I am a work in progress.
November 17th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
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