Craving Authenticity

There has been a really big push in advertising and ministry circles over the last few years: this buzzword "authentic" and its variations. An "authentic experience" or "authentic cuisine" or "authentic relationships." It's the last one that has me really thinking lately.

So many people say that they want to have "authentic relationships." However, what they really mean is, "I want people to just leave me alone and accept me for being me without wanting me to change." However, we rarely want to give the same freedom to anybody else. We say we "crave authenticity," but what we really crave is someone being what we want them to be to us, without taking responsibility for what we bring to the relationship.

Relationships are a two-way street. I have my foibles. I'm quite aware of them. Some I've introduced myself to, others have been dragged into my presence with great kicking and screaming. Still others I've given birth to through my desires and experiences. They make me, well "me."

My question and challenge to myself today is, can I let you be the authentic person that God designed you to be, and in doing so, celebrate His creation in you? The murkier question (which I cannot answer) is whether you are willing to do the same for me?

Putting Jesus in Time Out

Once again, Jesus paid for sin. This time, it was in his plastic infant form; the form that Isaac plays with in his Fisher Price Nativity set. Having been told that he needed to pick up his toys before lunch and nap time (we have a busy afternoon and evening), he kept dawdling. Finally after 45 minutes, I set the timer for seven minutes (now mind you I had been helping a little), and said, "when the timer goes 'Ding!' any toys Mommy sees out and has to put away are going in time out."

Well, the alphabet blocks got cleaned up. Three books got cleaned up. A ball went where it belonged. Baby Jesus was left out.

It's a fitting reminder to how we ignore Christ until we need him. We put him in a time-out that he willingly goes to because he loves us enough to give us free will (two year olds are excellent reminders of the cost of loving someone else when they don't always seem to love us back!). And then, he takes out punishment (even in the wrath of a mama who is tired of picking up too many toys every day).

God loves meenough to take my time-out and the other punishment that I deserve. He loves you too.

Baby Jesus is still going to sit in time-out today though. Mommy keeps her promises, just like God. But Resurrection Day will happen tomorrow.