The Law of Authenticity
I spent some great time with an old friend recently that knew me before I was a Christian. He was a put on back then and he is still a put on. As I shared how God had changed my life through a personal relationship with Jesus, he told me everything I wanted to hear but their wasn’t a hint of authenticity as he spoke. He hasn’t changed!
We live in times of uncertainty and difficulty and the last thing people want in any relationship is for people to act as if nothing is ever wrong and as if they always have it together.
As a leader and co-worker, I attempt to demonstrate a healthy degree of transparency and authenticity. People want the real you and not a put on or a fake. Another word for fakes that comes right out of the Bible is hypocrite and it is a large reason that people do not want to attend church.
Debra Davenport is one of the characters in the book, The Go-Giver and she states that “The most valuable thing that you have to give people is yourself. No matter what you think you are selling, what you are really offering is you.” That is what the Law of Authenticity is: “The Most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself.”
It is the same in any profession or any workplace. Authenticity speaks and has impact. Our relationships will always be connected to our success and well-being. Authenticity sets the stage for healthy, meaningful and fruitful relationships.
1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV)
8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.
