Who knows who I really am?

You and I live in a world of drive-by check-ins. In other words, we are consistently checking in on each other on the fly with the simple phrase: "How are you?"

And most of us respond with: "Good." You could ask 30 people on the same day how they're doing, and all 30 could tell you they're doing good, but mathematically speaking, that's impossible. What if we're not doing that good? Who can really be honest? Who's going to respond to "How are you?" with, "Getting a divorce, what about you?"

People hide how they're really doing because they believe they have something to lose. We all have aspects of our identity that make us vulnerable. If we don’t fit in with what we know others celebrate, we become afraid to be ourselves. The ultimate fear we have is: What are you going to do with the real me? If you knew this thing about me, how would you treat me?

The most liberating decision you can ever make is deciding to be you.

You don’t need to share your vulnerabilities with the whole world, but someone has to know. Just one person. Maybe it’s your spouse, your partner, your sister, or your friend. One person needs to know the truth of your life. What you find difficult. What you love. Whether you’re enjoying it. One person needs to witness your triumphs and tragedies. Life is too difficult to go it alone.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16

Those secrets you are holding on to, about yourself or your actions, need another keeper. I’m not telling you to be a stronger person; I just want you to be more honest. I believe that God uses people despite their flaws. The sky is the limit for someone who is humble and honest. The person who loses themselves in the rat race and in their achievements is going to end up in a very lonely place.

Slow down and take stock of your life. If you live without pretending, you will owe everyone else so little. Your conscience can be clear that you have served others well. You are able to step back and make space. You can slow down and ask, who knows who I really am? Am I proud of the person I show to others? This journey to acceptance and expression can take a long time, but you run the risk of paying a very high price if you do not attempt it.

God knows you - every hair on your head and every unformed thought in your mind - and still wants a relationship with you. Why not be yourself? One of the mantras I share often is: Everybody doesn't need to know who you really are, but somebody does. Authentic relationships require two-way streets. If you're looking for someone to be able, to be honest with, make sure you're the type of person that others can be honest with as well.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, I welcome You to invade my secrets. You want me to be honest with You, myself, and others, and sometimes that’s hard. Guide my conversations and help me discern who I can share my secrets and pain with and how I can be honest with everyone. Help me to trust that You accept me for who I am today and give me the courage to be completely myself with others.

Please show me how to live Your Word today. Let it bring me comfort, consume my mind, and transform my heart. Amen.