Authentic means being real and being original. It means being true to yourself and who you are as a person. If you focus on being authentic, it makes for one less thing to worry about. I don’t care what anyone else is doing, because it has nothing to do with me. I am only in control of myself.
Psalms 139:14- I will praise thee; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvellous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well.
When doing anything in life, one should ask himself or herself “why am I doing this?” If the reason is not for the good, then there is no purpose. I have always tried to approach life with purpose. I’m not perfect at it, but I want to leave a legacy. I can’t leave a good legacy if I don’t have a good name. I won’t have a good name without a purposeful life.
Proverbs 22:1- A [good] name [is] rather to be chosen than great riches, [and] loving favour rather than silver and gold.
Proverbs 10:7- The memory of the just [is] blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
Knowing that I have a goal (or several, truth be told), makes it easier to lead a life of meaning. I have guidelines I try so hard to follow because I do read the Bible, and I try to live by it. I fall short often—much more often than I’d like—but having that life guide to refer back to gives me the confidence to know that I can reach my goals and fulfill my God-given purpose. I know ugliness is not part of that plan. I know that His plan for me is to tune out the ugly—other people’s and my own—and focus on the endgame. Living a life worth living here can only truly be done through His grace and mercy. That’s a blessing only received when you yourself choose to accept it.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end
I think about history a lot. It’s always interested me. I’m not saying I want to be in the history books, but I also want to leave my family with good. I think back to my great grandparents and the goodness they left behind. I want that. Doing good here while you can leaves a lasting impression for years. It trickles down through the generations and creates a cycle of attributes in family members for years to come. In the same way, ugliness can plant bad seeds. Bad seeds bare bad fruit. I don’t want to be responsible for that when it comes to anyone—let alone my own family.
Matthew 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth :forth good fruit; but a corrupt :tree bringeth forth evil fruit
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
I know who I am. I know what parts of me need work. I trust that God and I can work out the kinks together. I also trust that He has good plans for me. He knows me. He knew me before I did. I can only reach those goals put in place by God by focusing on Him and making the decision to continue being authentic to who He says I am.
Matthew 10:30- But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Isaiah 64:8 But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
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