A Life True of Yourself

"Can you imagine coming to the end of your life, being surrounded by people who loved you, only to realize they never fully knew you? Or having poems you never shared or injustices you said nothing about? Can you imagine realizing, then, it was too late? How can we be loved if we are always in hiding?" ("Scary Close" by Donald Miller). Let that sink in, read a few times or as needed. Could you imagine? A life of fear being who you truly are, fear of other people's opinions, fear of being denied, or even a fear of not being enough; these are scary times we have faced but the fear is what grasps onto our conscience. My pastor at my church, my professor, and father are all men that say things how it is. There is no beating around the bush or taking the short route with them. I respect these men. I respect them because they do not fear what others will say, think, or do spite of their comment. Essentially they are not living life "safely," they are living justly. It is quite admirable to hear a sermon, lecture, or even advice when it is given authentically, not lightly. The truth is very hard to hear at times but the truth is the stepping stone that our ears need to listen for that will allow our hearts to be changed. Like my pastor would say, "I will probably receive a lot of emails for what I am about to say but..." People like that completely diminish the fear that Satan wants us to feel and brings forth the courage that Jesus wants us to portray. These men are not afraid of being known.

"Judgement shuts us down and makes us hide. It keeps us from being ourselves, which keeps us from connecting with other people" (Donald Miller). One of the most intoxicating things that drives out our true being is the fear of being judged. I cannot tell you the amount of stress and anxiety this fear came out of me throughout high school. You can even ask my parents, I am a worrier. But I now like to see that I was a worrier that became a warrior in Christ. Once I realized that the only way to connect with others is through being yourself and to demonstrate the world who I truly am, there can not be an ounce of blood that cares what others think of me. Around Thanksgiving someone had said that they are not in this world to please people, only God. That resonated with me for days because there is so much truth in that statement. I was not created and put on this Earth to please you or the people around me, I am to please God by fulfilling my duty as a Heavenly servant.

We cannot afford to be afraid of what is needed to be known nor allow our calling to remain in hiding. There is a strength inside each of us that the world craves to know. It is like making brownies with vegetable oil; they are yummy and satisfying with a glass of milk. However it is until you making brownies with coconut oil that you say, "Brownies are forever changed." The world and those around you will experience a change that is brought out of its shell into the landscape. "The whole experience makes me wonder if the time we spend trying to become somebody people will love isn't wasted because the most powerful, most attractive person we can be is who we already are, an ever-changing being that is becoming and will never arrive, but has opinions about what is seen along the journey" (Donald Miller). Young boys tend to be inspired by the famous baseball player Willie Mays, the speed, power, and catch of the game but let me be the first to tell you that you are not Willie Mays and there will only be one Willie Mays. On the other hand, girls have always strived to be like Marilyn Monroe, the ultimate blonde beauty of all time however there can only be one Marilyn Monroe even though she passed away. We waste tons and tons of energy to be like people we are not when in reality the only person we can be is ourselves. Allow the energy you use on other people to be used on yourself and a true identity will be destined to be shown to the world. We are all wired to be ourselves so you be you and I'll be me.

Once you express your true identity is when you begin to love, connect, and live. It is the ultimate source to finding what you are truly capable of despite your weaknesses. Beth Moore says is great, "Well, we have 5 days to give some serious thought about whether or not we're going to take 2015 into even 5 minutes of 2016." Do you think you will? Will you pack up or bury the fear you had in 2015 or even yesterday into 2016? Or. Will you pack up the strengths and capabilities you've encountered into 2016? Put it this way: When the ball drops at midnight will you carry over wasted energy from your past or energy that has a fresh start and is reborn? Your call!

Happy Day!

XO: Mekenna