Authenticity

Last night, we finished week three of our current Tuesday night study --
#Struggles: Following Jesus in a Selfie-Centered World by Craig Groeschel. It is a “light” study – just perfect for summer – 5 weeks. 

It is amazing to me that even through a “light” study (not deep – sort of fun) that God can still speak loudly and clearly.

Did you know that yesterday was national selfie day?  Yes, there is evidently such a day.  

Here is my poor attempt at a selfie . . .with filters :-)  My eyes look crossed because I'm not coordinated enough to hold my phone and touch the button at the same time!!  Had to leave my reading glasses on because I could not see . . .oh well . . .

We talked about being authentic last night and about having a veil over our face as Moses did (2 Corinthians 3:13 refers back to the Old Testament Exodus 34:35)

We all wear masks (veils) almost all of the time.  We have a work mask and we have a church mask and we have a family mask and the list goes on and on.  When are we real?  When are we authentic? Mark even pointed out that we “try” to wear a mask with God.  We fool ourselves into thinking that we are fooling God.

Our masks continue right into social media.  We put filters on our pictures.  We try to do things that we think are Instagram worthy.  When are we real?  When are we authentic? With whom are we authentic?

Brene Brown – a great author, writes this about authenticity “authenticity is cultivating the courage to be emotionally honest, to set boundaries, and to allow ourselves to be vulnerable.  We let go of what we are supposed to be and embrace who we are.

I love her definition!!

What mask are you wearing today?  Can you take it off?  Will you be authentic?