True Authenticity

In today's society much is made of being "authentic", keeping it real and being true to yourself.  This idea is often interpreted to mean "not doing anything I don't feel like doing."  After all, if I do something without really wanting to do it aren't I being fake?

I have talked to many people who never attempt to change because they have a certain mindset:

1. I'm waiting on God to call me
2. I don't feel called to do such and such
3. If I don't have an overwhelming desire or filling of the Holy Spirit to do something then it must not be God's will

The rationalization is that they are being authentic because they understand their weakness and are relying on God's power to pick them up and propel them to do His will (after all Philippians 2:13 says that it is God who works in us to will and to work according to His good pleasure).  Therefore, logically this must mean that if I don't desire to do something and never do it then it must not be God's will.  

I must admit that I have found myself caught in this line of thinking many times.  Fortunately the Word of God will always brings us back to reality when our hearts try to lull us into apathy.   

"Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." - Matthew 26:41

Jesus is making an important distinction in the verse above.  God works in us through His Spirit.  The Spirit desires to please and serve God and others.  But the will of the Spirit is in conflict with the desires of the flesh.  In order to walk in the Spirit we must be able to discern what is the will of God and what is a desire of the flesh.   

Real authenticity means acknowledging our weakness openly before God, confessing it, and then going and making real steps of faith in obedience.  A funny thing happens when you step out in faith, as you practice love you begin to feel love towards others.  Often times we have it backwards,  we want to feel love for someone before we show them love, but this isn't the scriptural pattern.  As we step out in faith and obedience and do the good works God has called us to do He responds by giving us the joy and energy and desire to keep going!

Don't let your feelings and fleshly desires to dictate your actions! Look for ways to serve others, take a step of faith and watch God work in ways you never imagined.