faulty image

Sometimes we have an idea about ourselves that isn't exactly accurate and when it gets challenged we freaked out. The way that we react is out of fear and insecurities. But in all things true, when we have that idea of ourselves destroyed or knocked a bit, it reveals who we really are and we have an opportunity to either go back and live the lie we had been living or embrace who we are; as weak as we are, as strong as we are, and still live a life worth living.
You know the phrase "people aren't always who they seem", it's true. We all have parts of us that we hide. Doesn't matter what relationship we have with each other we always have one little part or a few parts that we hide. True bravery is unveiling those things. Being vulnerable and not letting the lies of insecurity and fear hold us back. We become better people. We become better friends, parents, children. And just for the small moment that our life is, the world is a better place because of our choices. I don't want to be in a position where I don't know who I am. And everyone around me knows who I am and either accepts or denies me. Their response isn't important. It is a part of the process of accepting who we are, accepting who they are and learning to live at peace with each other. But it isn't the most important. The most important thing is that we're honest with ourselves first. If we can't be honest with who we are to ourselves then how do we expect to explain to others who we are? We all are afraid. Lonely. Lost. And we want something that's bigger than ourselves because we know the faults that we have and the imperfections that are in us. And seeing those things in us we react out of those imperfections. I think about how at the end of a person's life the only thing that they have left is their breath, their heartbeat. Sometimes family is around sometimes just friends. But in that single moment where a person takes his last breath and steps into eternity, that last breath is the last of everything that person has.  Empty. Desolate. Alone. Those are words that could possibly describe that moment but in reality, the emptying ourselves out allows us to be filled. In recognizing our desolation we see God's healing and that we are never really truly alone. I don't know what beliefs you have of the afterlife or God, but I know that one thing is true God is God and He never changes. He never fails and never gives up. He never lies and he always always loves even in the midst of the pain. Jesus exemplified that in His life. He lived a life  tempted in all manners that a man could be tempted. Yet He was without sin. Every single choice that He made was holy and right. How do I believe that? I find that reading the New Testament of the Bible often gives as many answers as it does questions. There are always going to be things that we won't know the answers to. But our choice is to let go of our expectations, empty ourselves of anything that's holding ourselves back from being who we are and aren't. Letting Jesus come and sit with us on the bed as we lie dying gasping for air yet feeling Jesus's hand in ours seeing His smile and then finally stepping into eternity. But we don't get there on our own. We don't get Heaven on our own. We all have the same choice do we believe that Jesus is the Messiah the Christ the Savior of the world? And do we put our faith in Him and His words and invite Him to take over those empty places inside of us? Or do we turn our backs, go our own way, continue to hide, never truly live and hate ourselves for it. It's that simple. Believe or don't believe. I made that choice years ago to believe that Jesus Christ saved me and He rose from the dead after He took my sins upon the cross. He sits right now at the right hand of the Father God waiting for the day that I will step that one last step into eternity, one breath away. But until then I will keep trying  and I will learn to stop hiding from myself some others and most importantly from God. I want to be empty of myself of my fears, my insecurities and faults. And be filled with the Holy Spirit of God, His love,  His kindness, hHis unrelenting desire to set me free. Am I willing? Yes. Are you willing? To let go of the idea of who you think you are and embrace the reality that you were lost without Jesus in your life. Not a magic spell. It's not always going to happen the way you want it to happen but the moment that you choose to believe seals your fate forever.
It's  not going g to be easy. Nothing truly worth it is easy. But in the end, when the only thing you have left to give is that one last breath before you step into eternity, that is when it matters the most.

I can't believe that He,
would die a death for me;
Up on the cross laid all my sins for all eternity.