Be Who You Are

There is not a lot of sophistication in our family. I wouldn't know where to place a salad fork if my life depended on it. I do understand the importance of our testimony as Christians. We do need to worry about how we appear to others. Our actions and attitudes affect others. We are pushing people toward Christ or pulling them away. Although, there is a difference between maintaining a proper testimony and trying to appear as someone you are not.

Believers often get caught up in appearance only. It is almost like we want others to think we are super spiritual more than we actually would like to be super spiritual. We know all the right churchy talk and customs, but what are we like on the inside? God is concerned with the inside. The second car I owned was a 1970 VW Bug. I had it painted metallic teal and added new wheels and tires. From the outside it looked as if it just rolled of  the assembly line. The inside was a different story. The original upholstery was in shreds. Once anybody peeked inside they could see the poor condition of the car. The outside was not a clear representation of the inside. Sadly, this is the life of many Christians. We get caught up in outward image and many times  we are in shreds internally.

I think it is important to discuss the affect this has on others. After all, as much as we think we can fool others, who we really are eventually surfaces. It is a pride thing. We worry if others will like me if they know the real me. We should consider who we are positionally with God. We are a big worthless nobody outside of God. I will share a secret with you. So is the dad or mom who you think has the perfect life.  It is a sad misrepresentation to be a fake Christian. This has a horrible effect on a struggling Christian. It makes others feel very inadequate when they buy the false front. When a mom sees another mother go on and on about how perfect her children are, how flawless her marriage is, and how her house is never messy, she likely feels defeated. I don't think we need to air our dirty laundry all over social media, but it would be a big help if others knew they were not the only ones to struggle. As my daughter says, " it's not all rainbows and kittens".

It is not easy to humble ourselves. I am reclusive and it is difficult for me to share my struggles. My life is just a series of messes that my God cleans up daily. So is yours if you are a Christian. Let's just be who we are. That is hard enough on it's own.