Who Are You - Really?

Blogs, chat rooms, online dating sites. Each of these things has made it easy to keep in touch, pray for others, update special news events . . . but, they have also made it easy to take on an “alternate” persona. Speaking, through your writing, as if you are someone that doesn’t relate to your real life persona.

Do you know anyone like this? Are you, perhaps, guilty yourself? Are you really who you say you are?

I’ve been blogging now for a couple of years and like to visit my “regular read” blogs, plus new blogs that I find through searches or other blogs. I sometimes read about people who are dealing with trials in their lives, and yet maintain – as written on their blogs – a happy-go-lucky attitude, never ever showing the slightest crack under pressure. I wondered how they could be so nonchalant about events that would cause many people worry, sadness, questioning “why” or even true depression. Even Christ Jesus was sorrowful and troubled over his impending death on the cross.

Matthew 26:

36) Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them,

"Sit here while I go over there and pray."

37) He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him,

and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.

38) Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.

Stay here and keep watch with me."

39) Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed,

"My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.

Yet not as I will, but as you will."

I finally came to the realization that it’s easy to be that way with people that don’t know you, have never met you and don’t know your real life and attitudes.

I have had struggles in my life and sometimes found “Christians” to be the most difficult to deal with because of the beliefs they held that Christians should never be depressed or unhappy. That if I had true faith in God, I would not experience negative emotions. I know that is not true. I know that I serve a loving God and that my faith is strong and that I am blessed beyond measure. I know that God loves me, knows my heart and wants me to love others, being real and sharing His love with them. I know that when I experience troubling feelings and emotions, my responsibility is to look to my Lord for comfort and peace.

Philippians 2:

(1) “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,

if any comfort from his love,

if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,

(2) then make my joy complete by being like-minded,

having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

(3) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,

but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

(4) Each of you should look not only to your own interests,

but also to the interests of others.”

I know, from my blogging and blog reading that there are many inspirational and Godly bloggers online and feel honored each time that I learn of someone who needs prayer and I am able to do my part in lifting them before God for healing, direction or anything troubling them in their life.

Carry each other's burdens,

and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

One of my goals for 2009 – and beyond – is to be “real” in person and online. To be the person that I say I am – both in speaking and in writing. To understand that every day and every experience is different and that as long as I seek God’s direction in all things, it’s okay to feel whatever it is I am feeling!

Thank you, God, for love, mercy and grace. Thank you, God, for loving me when I feel unlovable. Thank you for forgiveness in my life – both given and received.

In His Love and Blessings
annb