another good one from walkintheword

I Want to Be Real

by Dr. James MacDonald

O LORD, you have searched me and known me!

You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Psalm 139:1-6

I don't know how else to say it: hypocrisy is very serious.

Inside we're like this; outside we're like this. The gap between what people see and what's really inside us-that's hypocrisy. It starts off as a crease between what we appear to be and what we really are. It then becomes a crack and, if neglected, it becomes a canyon between us and God.

I want my life to be different. I don't want to pose for anyone. I don't want to take up some position in my life to match anyone's expectations.

I was praying about it this week for my own life and wrote this prayer. This is for God, but I'll just share it with you to encourage you in your passion of authenticity.

I Want to Be Real

I want to be real. I don't want to force it or fake it or fix it after the fact.
I just want to be real.

I want to operate from truth, not from pressure to please or perform for people. I don't want to choose from fear of what others will think of me or of my motives. I want to choose what I know is right because it's good and because it pleases You.
Help me, God. I want to be real.

I have the information mostly. I know I'm supposed to read and pray, and I know about worship, too. I know I'm supposed to witness and work for the kingdom, and I know about loving others more than myself. Oh, yeah, I know all the stuff. I know nearly everything I'm supposed to know, and most of all I know that knowing is not enough, because it doesn't displace the denial in my heart.
Help me, God. I want to be real.

By real, I mean ready, filled with anticipation when I arrive at Your house to worship You, heartfelt worship. Yeah, that's real.

By real, I mean ready with thanks for the cascade of blessings raining down on my head in this and every moment, genuine gratitude. Yeah, that's real.

By real, I mean an easy choice of obedience to silence my demanding flesh which calls me to choose what You lovingly forbid, obedient holiness. Yeah, that's real.

By real, I mean ready to be generous to people in need, not hoarding or hiding or helping out of guilt. Yeah, giving freely and continuously. That's real for sure.

Help me God. I want to be real.