Calling

The Power Of Authenticity

"Be yourself, everyone else is taken." ~ Oscar Wilde

Have you ever felt like you were too much or too different? Have you felt that, in order to fit in, you had to tone it down or have it all together? I know that as a manager in the corporate world, I have been told that my carefree surfer personality would not be appropriate. I'm guessing we have all felt this pressure to be like everyone else in order to be accepted.

Authenticity, on the one hand, is about owning your uniqueness, loving yourself just the way God made you, and resisting the voices that try to box you in with every fiber of your being. On the other hand, it is also about allowing others to see your weaknesses and failures. In some schools of thought leaders must fit a certain mold and always emit strength and perfection. This is perhaps doubly so in the church. There is this perception that church leaders must be perfect in order to be worthy of their positions.

King David is evidence that God doesn't think the way we do. David committed adultery with another man's wife and then had him killed. Yet God still chose David as the kingdom model upon which Christ established His kingdom. It is highly probable that we would have disqualified David.

While I am not advocating a lax attitude toward sin, I am advocating a more open stance toward weakness. We are all weak and imperfect. It is better that we own up to our flaws with those we lead than play the hypocrite. In fact, this is precisely why many of the younger generations are leaving the church - they are fed up with parents and leaders who breathe fire and brimstone on the sins of the congregation while hiding their sins so no one can see. Bringing our flaws and missteps into the light also gives us the opportunity to lean on the support and prayers of the community and stay on the right path. Hiding our sin in darkness never makes the situation better. Paul said he would boast in his weaknesses that Christ's power would be displayed. And that is the point - we should not be hinging people's faith on our perfection but on Christ's perfect sacrifice and powerful love. Even Christ was vulnerable with his inner circle of disciples at His time of weakness in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Authenticity is a powerful driver of influence. While people see through fake leaders and will not give them their trust, authentic leaders are relatable and build connection and trust with others. In addition, authenticity frees you to be your most powerful self and sets others free to be themselves as well. All of this adds up to greater influence.

Here are some authenticity habits:

• Own and share your story.
• Own and share your weaknesses and mistakes.
• Own and share your emotions.
• Own and share your strengths and successes as well.
• Work in the area of your strengths and partner with others in areas of your weakness.
• Don't play small to make others comfortable.
• Don't try to win favour by going along with the crowd.

Journal with Holy Spirit: When you think about being authentic and vulnerable what feelings come up for you?