Your True Self

Not that I do it often but this morning I went through the drive-thru of a large, chain fast food restaurant to get breakfast. I try to eat healthy, sometimes. On the drive-thru menu board, there was a representation of a bowl of oatmeal that didn't look completely unappealing. Now, oatmeal is not my favorite food but I thought, "Hey, that doesn't look too bad, and it could be good for me." So, I ordered the oatmeal.

Allow me to say that what was represented and what I received were entirely different. First, the serving I received was about one-fourth of what was displayed, the container looked like a condiment cup. Second, the actual oatmeal looked very little like the picture: it wasn't as flavored, it wasn't as large, it wasn't as much. Sometimes, what is projected isn't what is.

Today's word is Matthew 23:28, NLT, which reads, "Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness."

Only GOD and we know our own hearts. It's easy to put on a mask, a facade, a show for others but GOD knows the real us, and so do we. The fact is that reputation is what others think of us, but our true character is who we are when no one is looking.

Much like the oatmeal pictured on the drive-thru menu board and the oatmeal received, we can often find ourselves presenting one thing to others but it isn't who we really are. IF we find it hard to be "our true self" around others, if we hide what we truly believe or what we truly do, we may need to ask GOD for discernment and guidance on why. Nothing will ever be accomplished trying to hide behind a pretty picture. Allow GOD to remove the false fronts and present your true self.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T