Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" - Matthew 14:30

Years ago, my Sunday school teacher would ask the class, “how many of you can honestly say that you will go to heaven if Jesus was to come back right now?” Although I never raised my hand, because it was the norm not to, I remember feeling like I would go to heaven. I remember thinking to myself, “I may not be perfect, but I’m a pretty good guy”. I remember looking around the room and thinking to myself, if I don’t make it to heaven, than most of these heathens don't stand a chance.

Transparency: Unwrap Yourself, You are Your Greatest Gift to the World

Opening up to people is not easy. Some of us might be afraid of rejection. Others might be worried about being judged. Whatever the hesitation, being transparent is a major blessing, both to you and those around you. Reflect on all that you have been through in life; all your triumphs, all your failures, all your happy moments, those times of sadness, everything. Not one person on the face of this earth has experienced all that you have. You are the only person in the whole world who carries and knows your story. That story is special. Some people may like it, some will love it, some will despise you for your experiences, and some might even feel offended by your story. Regardless, this world needs your story. The good, the bad, all of it.

Every time we pretend to be someone we are not, we rob those around us of our true selves, which is our greatest gift to the world. Wearing a mask, putting on a front, and pretending to be someone other than ourselves is extremely dangerous. Each time we do this, we move further and further from our true selves and the mask that we are wearing becomes more attached to us. If we’re not careful, we might convince ourselves that the masks are really our faces.