Becoming Authentic

Dawnae Richards

"Honesty and transparency make you vulnerable. Be honest and transparent anyway." —Mother Theresa

My first reaction upon being asked to write about authenticity was to wonder if I could use a pseudonym. Ironic, huh? How could I write about becoming authentic if I did not want to share something as simple as my name?

Authentic: not false or imitation; not copied.

Have you ever wondered why authenticity seems like such a hard concept to live? Why does it seem so much easier to imitate someone else in our dress, speech, actions, and ideas? We’ve all had those twinges of envy: If only I could look like her or be the mom she is; if only I could have the spiritual walk she has. All too quickly we adopt the actions and attitudes of others so that we will fit in, be liked, and feel good about ourselves.

Becoming authentic, however, is more than removing my façade. It is more than letting you see me warts, scars, baggage, and all. It is more than a "That's just the way I am" mentality.

Authenticity is the intersection where fears and reality collide. Authenticity is scary. Not scary like someone jumping out of a closet in the dark, but scary like having to open a closet where I've hidden things I don't want anyone to see. I don't want anyone to see that I struggle with being kind to those who irritate me and being patient with my kids. I don't want people to know that I worry about temporal things, like being comfortable and having to sacrifice.

Before I can be authentic with others, I must be honest with myself and with God. My honesty is not going to surprise God. I have discovered that it is hard—very hard—to fool myself, and that it is impossible to put one over on God. When I am honest with God about who I am and what I struggle with, He opens my ears to hear the Holy Spirit's conviction and encouragement. My openness, vulnerability and transparency allow the Holy Spirit to confront me with the truth that I am not as good as I want to be (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV) and then to transform me with the power of the Gospel into who He wants me to become (Ephesians 1:18-20, ESV).

So what does becoming authentic look like for me? I am realistic about my weaknesses and humble about my strengths. When I relinquish my fear of failure and remove my façade of strength, the Holy Spirit is able to work through me to serve the Church.

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Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.