Genuineness of a Heart – Karen Chan
What is your most common social media feed? Are they foodstagram, kids, families, or pets? Or do you just vent or PDA (public display of affection) on socials? Let me be honest - when I am not feeling particularly great about myself, it takes me enormous effort to scroll through the posts on Facebook/Instagram. Please tell me if you can resonate!
Filters - the most famous addiction we have these years. We show our best shapes on social media, portraying a perfect image that appeals to everyone. I was a flight attendant, and the privilege to travel to all the beautiful places could have contributed to many fancy social posts. But I struggled. Because I know I couldn't equally share my pain and work stress just as publicly. I wouldn't want my friends who might be having a rough time to feel like they cannot approach me because of this fancy life they see on the surface and think that I wouldn't understand life can be bitter too.
Sometimes in relationships, we also choose to put on a filter, shaping a perfect image of ourselves, hiding and pushing down the faces we are ashamed of. But Jesus did the opposite and wonderfully demonstrated genuine relationships. He didn't hide His tears when His friends were grieving over Lazarus’ death, His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, and His vulnerability when He asked the disciples, "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus was honest about His true feelings. He was genuine in front of His disciples and closest friends, making it possible for us to get to know and understand Him better.
My experience shapes my assurance. People love me more but NEVER less when I share my struggles. I am grateful to have met some of my closest friends from our church. They see the best and the worst in me, and can even read my mind, yet they still choose to accept and show me outrageous love. This brings me great refreshment and restoration, especially in the difficult seasons.
Choosing genuineness to God and our loved ones is the way to allow people to fully embrace our flaws and who we are. We no longer have to measure our worth with the standards that spam all over the virtual world. The ideal woman image in the magazine, the perfect marriage featured in online interviews, and even as tiny as the excellent travels that go viral on Instagram will cease to consume our energy and, above all, our faith. We can finally live a life that belongs to us.
Church, I pray that we, who proclaim ourselves as Christians, restore genuineness with a life that mirrors the gospel of Christ. I pray that we grow and glow in His ways. Instead of fixating on our own appearances, imagine what we will look like if we all look into the mirror of God's words daily and let Him minister to the things that need to be changed. What if we are constantly growing by the grace of God? What if we live the gospel from the inside out? Will our lives reflect His Godliness to impact our neighbours immensely?
