Will the Real You Please Stand Up!

Will the Real You Please Stand Up!
Have you ever wondered who you really are and if the image you are projecting has it’s basis in truth?
by Gary Laws

Throughout life we are called upon to meet the expectations of others. We desire to make our families happy and we strive to keep our employers satisfied. We want to make (and keep) friends and we feel compelled to cultivate positive relationships all along life’s way.

This is very normal, even healthy! However, we can run the risk of being so bent on seeking, and receiving, the approval of others, that we take it to far. Sometimes we can become so obsessed with  the idea of winning others over, that we go ‘overboard’ and try to project an image that is not consistent with who we really are!

In our endeavor to please others, there can be pitfalls along the way that will, if we are not careful, totally destroy the ‘real person‘ that lives within…so much so that we become unsure of our own motives and we begin to wonder, ourselves, who we really are!

It may be that we do not believe others will respond to our true self positively, when presented honestly and without embellishment. Perhaps we have had some unpleasant experiences, in our relationships, that cause us to question our own ‘likeability’. We may even be thoroughly convinced that we are unable to cultivate friendships unless we ‘dress ourselves up’ in a cloak of deception. Maybe you are desirous of a promotion to a position of prominence and you have fallen into the trap of constantly calling attention to yourself for the purpose of ‘getting ahead‘. Whatever your objective, understand that it cannot be truly achieved if you are not truly and thoroughly genuine! Once you have convinced others that you are something other than you really are… you will, forever, have to continue the masquerade!

Depending upon how we handle this, pleasing others can be a blessing or it can become a devastating burden! For the Christian, ‘getting it right’ is absolutely essential if we are to be an effective tool in God’s hands!

To accomplish this, we must be reminded that we are called upon to lead a life that is pleasing to God… and God alone!. With our focus upon this truth, we become more and more effective in our relationship building, whether it be at home, in the workplace or among our many friends (or friends to be). This focus allows us to be truly ‘real’ as God knows everything about us and He cannot be fooled by any pretense. If we are living for Him, He will help us discover the wonderful person that lives within.

We must never allow the world to force us into being disingenuous in our manner, our speech or our representations. We must simply be who we are and let the chips fall where they may. Others may respond in a very positive way and some will dismiss any attempt at interaction. Whichever way they respond, you will at least have the assurance that they are responding to the real ‘you’!

If we are filled with the love of God and if we are striving to genuinely serve Him (and be like Him), then we are becoming the person God wants us to be. There will be no need for superficial embellishments to the way we present ourselves. All along the way we must be certain that we are not serving our own interests.

Resolve, today, to present yourself  as God has developed you and always remember that it is God you have been called to please. Do it right and everything else will fall into place!