Being Real

The following article was published in the Arthur Graphic-Clarion in February 2017

People don’t like “fake” things.  Fake news has been talked about recently in light of many social media stories that are not true or are trying to promote a certain agenda.  Facebook, Twitter, and others are trying to figure out how to manage those things so that people are not deceived by things that are untrue.  We don’t like it when people are fake either.  This being when someone is acting in a way that is not consistent with who they really are.  On social media and in real-life people can sometimes portray a fake representation of their real self.

In Acts 2 the early Christians were not only devoted to the ways of Christ they were also devoted to one another.  Yes, it says that they shared property, possessions, and other things, but verse 44 says, “all the believers were together and had everything in common.”  Does this mean they agreed on every little thing?  No, I am sure that was not the case.  They were human.  What it does mean is that they were “real” with each other.  They shared their deepest feelings, hurts, struggles, celebrations, etc. with each other in a very real and authentic manner.

This is something the Christian Church of today needs to encourage.  This is something we need to make room for and give opportunities for people to share what is going in their life.  This is what can truly bring Christian community to the church and draw us closer together as God’s people.  When we can be open and honest with one another we can truly help each other in this journey of life.

Sharing our life stories with one another is one way this can happen.  There is so much we don’t know about each other.  If we find opportunities to open up and share what we have been through and how Christ has blessed us in life we will find help, encouragement, strength, and grace to move forward in what the Lord has in store for our futures together.

Someone once said, “The world at its worst needs the church at its best.”  Being real and authentic with each other and how we live our lives in the world (including social media) can be a great witness for Jesus Christ.  The first Christians practiced true community and verse 47 of Acts 2 says that they were, “Praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.  And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”  Why?  Because when people are real and authentic it is noticed by others.

Glen Rhodes,
Arthur Mennonite Church