“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time.”
1 Peter 5:6
March 7, 2024
To Be Real
We often ascribe to the idiom: “fake it until you make it.” We may learn to appear as having attained our social status or our educational rank, etc. before the work has been done. On the one hand, there is a logic to presenting oneself favorably so that opportunities will not pass you by. You may tell your employer that you are proficient in a particular area, so that a significant project is assigned to you, thereby increasing your income.
However, the excesses of this cultural “virtue” are all too evident if we observe our community and examine ourselves. We have terrible spending habits and accrue debt from a lifestyle of faking it until we have made it. We are social media rich and self-esteem poor from a habit of faking it before we have made it. Our sense of self becomes distorted and we gain influence and prestige while being spiritually destitute.
Our beloved Creator calls us to “stop fakin’.” Indeed, it is good news that there is one for whom we do not have to embellish our resumé. For the promotion we seek is not awarded for being anyone other than our authentic selves. In this time of truth and humility, the real work can be done to ensure that when preparation and opportunity are aligned, we will be exalted.
Brother Jonathan E. Botts
Young Adult Church School
Prayer: Heavenly Parent, we are elated that you love your flawed people. We present ourselves with our deeds and misdeeds. We pray that in this vulnerable space you shine a light within us so that we may do the work and in turn, shine outwardly for you. Amen.
Lent 2024
We invite you to join us in reflection, meditation and prayer for a season of renewal, repentance and rejoicing from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.
Each day is a reflection representing the thoughts and aspirations of the members and friends of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church expressing what the season of Lent means to them. Their wide range of perspectives describe how this time of renewal, repentance and rejoicing has been and will be used to focus on Jesus’ life, crucifixion and resurrection.
Read along with us each day or download the book to read and write along with us offline.