There are more than a few who know me well enough to decipher a fake smile from a real one.
Behind the glistening pearly whites they see the awkward curl of my lip which indicates something is off. Or rather, something is on. A mask.
The one I wear in a laid back smile and a world of hurt behind my eyes.
Why do we often default here? Into hiding.
"Stop it, Manda. You don't need to fake it." They simply know when to call my bluff. That's friendship.
There is a beauty in living authentic that can not be masked or covered up. A honest beauty that cries to be seen.
Once people know the real you, the counterfeit is easy to spot.
It stands out. Highlighted.
And grace makes it all possible.
Grace unlocks the heart from being bound to living free, because our true identity is locked in Christ.
Jesus died for our freedom.
The Gospel of Grace, God's abounding love, frees us from the constant pressure to perform, to hide, to be, or to pretend.
All we ever need to be, God accomplished for us.
This is beyond refreshing!
It liberates us to toss away the counterfeit and be everything God created us to be in Him.
What more can we add to our identity that Jesus hasn't already done? Nothing.
True freedom happens when we realize who we really are has nothing to do with us.
"Stop it. You don't need to fake it."
Jesus said, “It is finished.” (John 19:30)
Thanks for this. I always need to be reminded that it's all Jesus. I needed to be reminded that he said it's finished. He is so amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Manda! ♥
Hi Manda - amen, no wearing of masks, just transparency. If only I could live more like that. I don't wear a mask, I wear my heart on my sleeve so when I'm like that, I stay away from people - so they don't see - may as well be wearing a mask. Great encouragement not to.
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy