Stand up the real Jeremy

I have reflected further about being real and have to admit that I have my weaknesses in this respect in as much as I have tended to erect a barrier around myself. In the past I have complained that people don't understand me and make judgements without knowing me. But the problem is that I don't give people much chance to get to know me. The origin of this is perhaps related to hiding large parts of me that I don't find attractive which fundamentally has its origins in inverted pride and a disagreement with God -because he likes me and made me the way I am. I am also coming to realise that rejections from other people often have their root in not seeing the real Jeremy in the first place. Perhaps the real Jeremy is a likeable person after all!!

No ultimate rejection

I have thought a bit about being real tonight. If everybody was real with each other how much simpler life would be. The problem is that if we are real and that is rejected that is the ultimate rebuke. At least if we are only partly real we can only get partially hurt. But then the flip side of this is that unless we are truly real we shall never know perfect acceptance. So being real can teach us both the heights and depths of true living. In relation to God we can be real with him when we know he truly accepts us as we are and when we are real with him we can be really accepted. That is the main reason why people endure all manner of torture, persecution and deprivation for the gospel. Because they know what will be returned to them shall far outweigh what has been lost.

We also know that if the gospel is rejected it is not ultimately us but Jesus and if we are real about who we are then it is God our creator who is rejected.