Authenticity means, “the quality of being authentic; genuineness.” While our culture is one of “cookie cutter” ideals, and would rather that everyone looks and acts within certain parameters, our God is the God of originals. He never intended for any one of us to look or act the same as another. He’s far more creative than that.

Doing this takes faith. If this were easy, there would be a lot more authenticity in the world, but the truth is, we are surrounded by people who are just trying to find their place. They believe that doing so means they must change to fit a certain mold. As Christ’s ambassadors and the adopted children of the King, our “place” is right smack in the middle of His will, and the only way we can get there is by saying “yes” to the man or woman He designed us to be and by living out our day to day with acceptance and gratitude for His originality.

Take a look at Romans 5:1-5 in the Message:
“By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.”

When we are us–just us–living in the fullness of our salvation in Jesus Christ, we are living an authentic and full life, the kind of life He has always wanted for us. It’s a spacious life, friends. One that cannot help but inspire others to do the same. So where are you today? Do you find your eyes ever-fixed on the life, body, ministry or talents of someone else? Do you accept who you are, not passively and with an heir of defeat, but with joy and gladness for exactly where you are in your life, your body, your ministry or your practice? Do you believe that He is more interested in who you are today than who you hope to one day become?

It is when we can say “yes” to God, when we can open our doors to His truth, that we can live in the spacious freedom of our original design. Just imagine your community cloaked in the beauty of authenticity. All it takes is one to spark the flame. That “one” is you.

Blessings,

Caroline