The Table of Authenticity
by Tammy Iund Woodard
Monday - 10.5.2020
When we’ve walked through hardship and trauma in our life, we often hide our authentic self from others. We often hide even from ourselves. Being genuine is terrifying for many of us. You may not even feel like you know your true identity. Authentic, authenticity can be a real trigger word right now. What does authentic even mean? Authentic: representing one’s true nature or beliefs; true to oneself or to the person identified; not false or copied; genuine; real: lack of misrepresentation
I’ve done a great deal of studying and reflecting on Judas lately. Weird right? But I’m in awe that Jesus knew what was in his heart and yet Jesus still invited Judas to the table. Judas didn’t allow his authentic self to be revealed to his fellow disciples but he couldn’t hide from Jesus. It makes me sad to think Judas was fully loved and accepted by Jesus, but Judas couldn’t see it.
When we accept the love of our Heavenly Father it changes us. It’s a transforming power.
Jesus invited Judas’ authentic self to the table. If I’m being honest, I don’t know that I could have done that. I don’t know that I can do that now. However, that is what God is calling me to do. He calls me to bring my authentic self to the table and to invite the authentic self of others to the table - fully loved and fully accepted. This is what crushes the head of the enemy. We were all created in the image of God. God knows who and what He created us to be. God calls THAT out of us when we accept His love for us and when we reciprocate that love back to Him. I’m asking you this week to read the account of the Last Supper between Jesus and his disciples. Jesus knew that Peter would betray him as well. And yet…..Peter was also invited to the table. (Sometimes Judas takes all the heat, lol.)
In this world of social media, we have the perfect venue to hide even more. We can post status updates of what we want people to know or think of us. We often think what we see of others on social media is their real life, so then we get trapped in the comparison game and we begin to feel inferior. It’s a vicious cycle. You know who suffers from feeling inferior: rich people, poor people, working people, unemployed people, parents, any and everyone – Did I miss anyone? Whether it be situations or relationships, we criticize our talents, skills, and attributes. We compare these things in us to these things in others. Hiding in fear of ridicule and rejection is a tactic of the enemy. Who do you believe you are? When I let you see the scars from my life then it lets you know that your scars are ok. When I allow you to see the scars of my life healed, it brings you hope. If God can do it for me then He can do it for you.
Let’s be real with each other. Let’s allow others to be real with us. It’s scary, believe me I know. But it’s how we become healed and it’s how we grow in community. After all, we are in this together.
Call to Action
Pray and Reflect on:
Matthew 26:14-35, 27:1-4
Luke 14:10-11
10 “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. 11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
1 Peter 5:10
10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.
1 John 4:4
4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.
Reflections
Based on the truth of scripture, who does Christ say YOU are? Write down your top 5 character traits.
Do you have areas of your life where you are not living as your authentic self? What does the word authentic mean to you?
Is God asking you to help anyone else in your life live more authentically?
How can you help others recognize who they are in Christ?
