Monday, April 16, 2012

An Authentic Life

A few days ago I was challenged by something someone said to me (how's that for evasive?) and since then, I've been pondering an authentic life - my authentic life.

Ever since I can remember, I've loved God and I've always felt immensely loved by Him. I wholeheartedly believe He created me for a reason. I was chosen, as we all are, and because I was chosen, then I must be valuable.

My relationship with Christ is the most important one in my life. Since I was a child, I have never strayed from my faith, but it has been tested during very difficult times and each time it has been tested, it has come through the fire more refined and deeper. I am radically in love with my Creator and I am not ashamed! He is more real to me than anything else and His love penetrates to the very center of my being. I can’t get enough of Him!

The decisions I've made in my life have all been made with my faith in Christ as my anchor and compass. I seek His wisdom and His guidance in every area, and I believe He has greatly, exceedingly and abundantly blessed my life. I cannot take credit for anything. Everything I have and everything I am is all for the glory of God.

I seek to be authentic inside my home and outside it. I can confidently say that what you see is what you get, not that what you get is perfect. I make mistakes every day. I fail at countless things, but I work to do better. I live what I believe and I strive to do it with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.

As a child, I wanted a Savior. As an adult, on my knees, in complete wretchedness, I realized I didn't want a Savior anymore - I needed a Savior. I know that if it weren't for the grace of God and His unconditional love and forgiveness, I would be utterly and completely lost.

I live my life in abandonment to my Creator. I want to make good, sound decisions, anchored in the Ancient Word, that I pray will glorify Him and lead me on a path of righteousness, for His namesake. I want to have a pure heart before God and I don't want to be swayed by human philosophies and teachings.

And you know what? I love my life! I have peace, joy and fulfillment. I have fun, I feel complete, and I feel loved. I know the meaning of life and I know what my purpose is - and I want others to know it, too.

Do I have bad days, weeks, months? Yes. I have struggled with questions, doubts and trouble. I've been to depths so low I thought I could never climb out. I've been so riddled with fear, I thought I would be swallowed whole. And I've dealt with deep, weighty questions that have shaken the very foundation of my existence...

But, Jesus.

Through every situation He has been exceedingly faithful. God has met me in each pit I've been in and He's taught me, strengthened me and shown me His character and heart as He's lifted me out onto solid ground. Through it all, I've grown to know the One and Only and His strength has been made perfect in my weakness. To the depth of my pain and wounds, has been the depth of His love and healing. I am left breathlessly in awe before Him...

I aim to please my Father and to live my life for His glory and pleasure.

Today I was talking with my seven year old daughter about the moon. On its own, the moon is lifeless and barren. But, when it reflects the sun, it becomes radiant. That is how I want my life to be. I want to be radiant because I reflect the Son. That is my authentic life.

15 comments:

  1. This is such a cool post, Gabrielle. Your love for Christ is so evident. I think my faith walk has been similar in that I've never walked away from Christ...but yeah, I've had bad days, questions, doubts here and there. But Jesus always pulls me back...puts something in my path to remind me of his amazing love and my ultimate purpose. He rocks!

    Awesome post to start my day with! Oh, and thanks for stopping by my blog. So happy to follow yours, too!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Melissa, and thank you for the kind words. I just starting blogging last fall and I had no idea there was such an amazing group of faith-filled writers out there to connect with - I wish I would have started sooner! It encourages me to keep pressing on to what God is calling me to do, knowing there is support. Happy Monday!

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  2. Here is a long reply, but your post made me remember this Sara Groves song - the lyrics are spot on:
    You Are the Sun

    By Sara Groves and Matt Bronlewee

    You are the sun shining down on everyone
    Light of the world giving light to everything I see
    Beauty so brilliant I can hardly take it in
    And everywhere you are is warmth and light

    And I am the moon with no light of my own
    Still you have made me to shine
    And as I glow in this cold dark night
    I know I canít be a light unless I turn my face to you

    You are the sun shining down on everyone
    Light of the world giving light to everything I see
    Beauty so brilliant I can hardly take it in
    And everywhere you are is warmth and light

    And I am the moon with no light of my own
    Still you have made me to shine
    And as I glow in this cold dark night
    I know I canít be a light unless I turn my face to you

    Shine on me with your light
    Without you Iím a cold dark stone
    Shine on me I have no light of my own
    You are the sun, you are the sun, you are the sun
    And I am the moon

    Have you read Not a Fan? I am reading it right now and it also speaks to what you are saying - I will pass it your way when I am done if you'd like!

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    1. I hadn't heard that song before! I will look for it - I've loved Sara Groves ever since we saw her at the MOPS Convention. :) Thanks for sharing the lyrics - they are spot on. I had never considered how the moon reflects the sun as a metaphor for our Christian life until yesterday when Ellis and I were talking - it was one of those "uh-ha" moments.

      I haven't read Not a Fan - was that the book you mentioned was free on Kindle a while back? I would love to read it once you're done.

      I need to email you about ECFE, SMOL and pedicures! :)

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    2. Great post, Gabe. I, too, have been challenged by other's words before. I especially liked this paragraph:

      "And you know what? I love my life! I have peace, joy and fulfillment. I have fun, I feel complete, and I feel loved. I know the meaning of life and I know what my purpose is - and I want others to know it, too." ....YES! this is exactly how I feel & I try my best to reflect that to others who challenge me in a loving, Christ-like way. I believe that those who don't understand, don't know the love of Jesus, yet - and it makes me sad - and it makes me want to show them Jesus that much more!

      Beka & Gabe - LOVE NOT A FAN! I have not read the book, but Andrew and I have watched the show Not A Fan (featuring the author) a few times - it's on one of the Christian tv channels...tbn?

      Thanks, Gabe, for your writing. I always look forward to your posts.

      Lindsay

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    3. Thank you for commenting today, Lindsay! I love when people comment, because I know my posts are being read. :) But I love it even more when my love for God can come across in the words I write across the page. I want others to know the Love of God and how amazing life is with Him.

      You are such a shining example of leading with love and displaying a Christ filled life. Thank you for doing that in my life.

      I am really excited to check out Not a Fan!

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  3. Wonderful post to wake up to this morning Gabe! Your last paragraph said it all for me...."wanting to be radiant because you reflect the Son~" BEAUTIFULLY written!

    Thanks for sharing~

    Jennifer Bailey

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    1. Thank you, Jennifer! I read your comment about MACHE last night on Facebook and I also saw Nancy's - sounds like a great time. I still dream about the day we'll be ready to homeschool again - not sure when that will be, but I hope it's sooner than later. Good luck!

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    2. In time Gabe~ everything has a season....and you'll know when the time will be right to homeschool again. Never doubt your path, God is on your side all the time and He knows where you should be, and will continue to guide you in each moment.

      Blessings~ Jennifer

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  4. "But, Jesus." That says it all! Every time I have a worrisome "But" enter my head, I'm going to have to remember, "But...JESUS!" Enjoyed your post!

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    1. Heather, I'm happy you enjoyed the post! Thanks for stopping by.:)

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  5. Authenticity is a challenge for so many. We often hide behind the facade of "perfection", not really letting Jesus' strength shine through our inperfections. You said it all beautifully! Thank you.

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    1. Thank you for joining the discussion today, Sherrinda. I've been encouraged to be even more authentic as I've discovered the blogging world. I've read many posts by other authors who took the chance to be authentic and it's blessed my life. I felt challenged to do the same.

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  6. Thanks for the post, such a good reminder. I love imagery of the moon and sun analogy. Parenting has to be the hardest thing I've encountered that has me on my face before God. I've had my share of dark days, doubts, and messing up as well. It is encouraging to hear your testimony. I handed the reins over to Christ when I was sixteen. My head was messed up and God has set me free/is setting me free. I've struggled a lot in the mental department, but it is encouraging to know that it isn't so much "my childhood" or wherever we would like to place blame, but that it is universal. We all struggle with doubts, fear, messing up, etc...God is much bigger than all that.

    Sherrinda mentioned that "facade of perfection", I had an uh-ha moment not too long. As humans we walk around with walls, calluses, etc to protects us, but unless we peel away those layers, we won't grow, whether its relationships with each other or with God. It's that connection of being transparent/authentic with each other that we grow/are fulfilled/connect. And with God, its when we worship, we are peeling back those layers until our are hearts & souls are laid bare before him.

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    1. Beautiful, Jennette. I do believe our struggles are universal, though some people deal with their struggles so differently. As writers, I believe God has given us the gift to share through our words. As I wrote this post, the words flew off the tips of my fingers, and when they do that, I know God is in them.

      I'm thrilled this post touched so many people today. You'll never know how much I labored over whether or not I should push the "publish" button. Putting your heart out there for all the world to see is an intimidating prospect, as you well know. But, just as you said about peeling back those layers to worship God, we must also peel back those layers to minister to others. God Bless!

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