Being “real”

By Jeremiah Model & Jen Moreno

What does it mean to be real? Does it mean to get everything you want at any cost or expense of others? Is being real centered around you only? Is being real, being brutally honest without being concerned about how others feel or offending people? Many times people confuse being “real” as being brutally honest, but that isn’t necessarily being real.

All of those things are selfish and rooted in pride. Lets take a look at the flip side of what it is to be real and living a life with purpose and not for selfish gain. That saying “never apologize for what you feel, it’s like saying sorry for being real,” may not be the best approach. We have to be careful with our words and think before we speak. Proverbs 12:16 highlights this – “A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.” You can still be real even if you don’t fight an insult or an offense, you just simply choose how to respond to situations versus going off on your pride.

What if being real meant to be honest at all costs even if you where the only person standing for truth in the world. What if being real meant to live boldly and courageously, not overconfident and arrogant. Or if it meant to pursue the dreams that you were born with inside, instead of being a follower or guided by the voices of parental guardians that coaxed you into pursuing dreams that they never fulfilled. What if being real meant living in time slot compartments day to day rather than living with past regrets, pains, sorrows and the weights of yesterday. What if being real meant not living in the future, but living in the present.

As you can see, being truly real and genuine is not simple. It’s easier said than done, but by letting Christ be in our hearts, we can achieve that realness in our lives. We can be the truth that people are looking for as we walk in humbleness and righteousness.

Being real is not about being in control all the time and trying to be perfect. Being real is more about being the best version of yourself and showing people that you are not perfect. Jesus Christ was always real and genuine about his intentions, he never lied nor did he pretend to be someone else. He spoke the truth at all times and obeyed the father.

So how do you learn to be real? Jesus is all about character development. He’s always in the business of transformation and changing lives for the better. Allow yourself to be teachable, approachable and honorable in everything that you do. When you live a life of truth, you set yourself free, and that’s when you allow yourself to live free with joy, peace and abundance.

Today will you choose to live a life of truth? If you do, say this out loud “I choose the narrow road that leads to abundant life.”

1 Samuel 16:7 – “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Keep it real everyone! 🙂