"Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." Colossians 3:10 (NIV)
"Oh no! It's the doorbell," she gasps, leaping into action. "Throw the laundry behind the couch. And stuff the toys in the closet"
"OK. You hide the dirty dishes in the oven," he yells. "Then answer the bell."
She opens the front door with a relaxed and confident smile. "Hi. What a surprise. Glad you could drop by."
"Oh my," remarks her guest. "Wish I could keep my house this neat."
Image - it costs us tons of time, money and anxiety to look good. Putting on a false front often seems safer than risking judgment. After all, society says it's not who we are that's important. It's who people think we are that matters.
But consider this. If everybody is just maintaining their image then we never know who anyone really is. So we construct our appearance on the unreality of those around us. Soon we may even begin to believe this new facade and lose track of our real selves.
American culture is giving us a makeover in its own image. But what about the image that God created? He should be shaping us and showing the world the person he wants us to be. By putting up a front we're hiding the glory of God.
It boils down to this. Image is pretending to be someone else. Authenticity is letting people see who we are and finding out they like us anyway. But we have to be transparent. Our outsides must match our insides.
Since God doesn't look at outward appearance, why not show off your true self?
Be courageous. Shatter those facades.
Admit the mess. Everybody has at least one.
Take stock. Ask God to show you what he sees.
Let's come clean. Sometimes your life is a muddle. But God knows what you look like under your mask. And he still loves you. So why not bust that false image and let him shine through? Step forward and be the "real you."
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