Real life.
I tend to be passionate about living one.
real :: genuine; not counterfeit, artificial, or imitation; authentic
A number of years ago I lived in make-believe. I dreamed big dreams and existed as if they were real. I walked through years of pretending to be someone I was not. My thoughts and actions were consumed with striving to measure up and trying to be perfect.
As you can imagine, life was heavy and burdensome.
Until one Saturday morning my dear friend opened my eyes to living a real and authentic life. It was as if a breath of fresh air passed by at that breakfast table, and I was finally able to breathe again. The weight lifted off my shoulders, and my surroundings became a shade brighter.
From that moment on, my life has never been the same. Full of imperfections and flaws, I was now okay with being me.
There’s freedom in living a real life.
There’s freedom in being who God made us to be. After all, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Take a look at Psalm 139:14:
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (NIV)
I also like how the VOICE translation puts it:
I will offer You my grateful heart, for I am Your unique creation, filled with wonder and awe. You have approached even the smallest details with excellence; Your works are wonderful; I carry this knowledge deep within my soul.
What does living a real life mean to you? Do you ever struggle to live authentically, and to live out who God made you to be?
For the next 30 days, friend, I invite you back here. Join me on this journey as we walk a path of discovery and encouragement in resting in truths of what it means to live a real life. It’ll most likely be imperfect and maybe a bit messy, but we’ll be in it together. And, we’ll do what we can to bless each other as we go.
I look forward to what God will teach us. In the meantime, enjoy the truth above. You are God’s unique creation, filled with wonder and awe!
Bless you, friend!
Julie
Day 2 Living a Real Life and Celebrating Our Differences
Day 3 Living a Real Life – What Makes You Special?
Day 4 Living a Real Life With No Room For Envy
Day 5 Comparing Ourselves Prevents Us From Living A Real Life
Day 6 Your One-Of-A-Kind Story In Living A Real Life
Day 7 What Does Faith Have To Do With Living A Real Life?
Day 8 Living a Real Life in the Absence of Perfection
Day 9 When Living A Real Life Is Not Easy
Day 10 Living a Real Life in a Fake World
Day 11 Living a Real Life is not a Problem-Free Life
Day 12 Living a Real Life Without Competing
Day 13 3 Ways to Invite Others to Live a Real Life
Day 14 Living a Real Life Allows Us to be Vulnerable
Day 15 You Don’t Have to Wear a Cape to Live a Real Life
Day 16 It’s Okay to Not Be Okay in Real Life
Day 17 Cheering on Others as We Live Real Lives
Day 18 Living a Real Life Without Worrying What Others Think
Day 19 Living a Real Life is a Joy-Filled Life
Day 20 Discover You as You Live a Real Life
Day 21 Living a Real Life Without Second-Guessing
Day 22 Community is Significant in Living a Real Life
Day 23 Qutting is not an Option in Living a Real Life
Day 24 Living a Life of Thankful is Living a Real Life
Day 25 Taking Care of Yourself is a Must in Living Real
Day 26 Living Real is Forgiving Ourselves When We Mess Up
Day 27 Living Real as We Overcome with Good
Day 28 Living Real and Living Loved When We Don’t Feel Like it
Day 29 We Will Follow God to Where We’re Uncomfortable?
Day 30 Freedom is Found in Releasing Our Anxiety and Cares
Day 31 You and Your Life are Genuine, Real and Authentic
Living a real life…well, for me it means paying meet obeisance to the fact that my days are numbered. Not theoretically, but practically, and I may not see the end of the month.
And being OK with that.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2017/10/your-dying-spouse-369-worship-for.html
That’s definitely real, Andrew. I appreciate your honesty and I continue to pray for you. I’ll be over to read your words of life soon. Stay strong and tell the dogs and Barbara hello.
Love this!
Thanks, Tara!
Julie, this post has had me thinking for days now. I’ve had a response struggling to find its way out. At first I kept thinking it was opposite of what you said, because I do not dream big and live in make-believe or strive to measure up. But, am I living real as a result? Nope. I hold back, hesitate, overthink, always in protective mode. All in fear. Of what? I am not sure, but it is not living real. Thank you for causing me to pause and question ways to change the old and find freedom in the new, real, life.
Thanks for sharing your response, Kim. I believe we all have something that holds us back from living a real life. Fear is a big one for many. Only when we address it and face it can we move forward into real and authentic living. Sounds like that’s what you are doing! That’s wonderful, Kim! I’m cheering you on and praying for you. <3