Real is What God Uses
How-do there, friend! I sho’-nuff’ appreciate you comin’ by today! So, step on up here to this ol’ front porch and settle yourself in’ right over here where the breeze plum knows how to be mindin’ its manners. Some days we try so hard to be somebody else that we end up lookin’ like a lil’ ol’ raccoon that’s gone and borrowed a lil’ possum’s tail and is tryin to pass it off as a normal thing with its other family members, who are havin’ a real good laugh at him. Other days we plum puff ourselves up like a lil’ ol’ proud rooster that has gotten to thinkin’ it can out‑crow the sunrise. But the Lord keeps callin’ us right back to one simple truth. Right here Psalm 28:7 reminds us, “The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusted in Him and I am helped.” That verse sits right beside Ephesians 4:25 and whispers that truthfulness is not just a virtue. It’s a real calling.
Ephesians 4:25 tells us, “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” God never asked us to try to be spiritual impersonators. He asked us to be real. I remember folks in college who could talk real normal one minute, and then suddenly sound like a revival preacher the next. Their voices plum changed. Their mannerisms plum changed. Even their eyebrows tried to preach. It was like watchin’ a silly lil’ ol’ squirrel that had decided to try to imitate a wise old hoot owl. It was impressive, but it sho’-nuff’ wasn’t real.
Second Corinthians 4:2 reminds us, “We have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.” God don’t need another copy of someone else. He plum needs you. The real you. The you that laughs too loud sometimes. The you that forgets where you put your keys. The you that God has handcrafted with a real purpose. When you stop performin’ and start trustin’, He begins shapin’ your desires and leadin’ your steps.
To deepen this truth Proverbs 12:22 says, “The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in those who are truthful.” That verse fits like a good boot fits a fits a busy ol’ farmer. God delights in real authenticity. He works through honesty. He moves through hearts that plum refuse to be pretendin’.
Friend, let God use the real, genuine you. Not the polished pretendin’ imitation. Not the borrowed personality. Just you. That’s the best place where His grace does its best work.
Father, help me lay down every false version of myself. Teach me to walk in truth, speak with honesty, and trust that You can use me just as I am. Shape my heart and guide my steps. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Alright now, friend, let this truth settle into your heart the way twilight settles over a quiet meadow when every creature finally decides to hush. God’s delight in you is steadier than an old cedar post that has stood firm in its place through a century of storms. His purpose for you shines clearer than a lantern carried down a dark path that shows every stone and root you need to avoid. His love for the real, genuine you is stronger than an ol’ plow horse that keeps pullin’ even when the field stretches farther than your eyes can see. Walk forward with a confidence that’s rooted in Him, fully knowin’ He can do far more with your honest, unvarnished authenticity than you could ever accomplish with a borrowed personality or a pretendin’ imitation. Let Him use you just as you are. He’ll take and shape the real you, friend, because that’s the version He has always planned to use.
With joy,
Gwen
