Onion LayersWill the Real You Stand Up!
The real you is hidden beneath the layers… Do you believe this? Have you stopped to realize that what you often see on the surface when you look in the mirror is not the real you? No. You are somewhere deep within, looking out of the body that allows you to interact with this physical world.
Think about it. If you lost an arm would you cease to be you? What about both arms? What about both legs? What about a kidney? If you were paralyzed would you cease to be you? If you had a heart transplant would you cease to be you? No, you would not. This fact helps to demonstrate, if we take the time to really contemplate our existence, that who we truly are is deeper than what we see in the mirror or what others see when they look at us.

But why do we spend so much of our energy and time trying to make our outside look good? I’m not saying that we shouldn’t take care of our bodies, but we often focus on outward appearance to the detriment of our soul. One way we do this is by looking to others who seem better off than ourselves and wish we could have their life. However, everyone has struggles and if anyone tells you that they have everything together and never struggle… they are lying. But why do we wish to be someone else? Well, for one thing it’s easier to fantasize about being someone else than it is to go out and grow our life into the person we were created to become. This is especially true when the person we fantasize being seems so sure of themself and we are clouded about our own life’s purpose.

God has a purpose for your life and he does not place you somewhere without any signs to point out the way.
Ultimately, you must decide if your true self is worth the effort. Will you press through the growing process of your life or will you choose to live for surface pleasures? If you believe that your life is worth something of immense value (and it is), then you must ask, “what are the signs that are around me?”

The Bible lets us know that for the Believer, the Kingdom of God is within us and around us. The signs are there… even if they seem rather faint. Look around at creation and see that everything created has set skills and a purpose. What are your set skills? What are your talents and gifts? What are those dreams that just won’t let go of you? Do you even take the time (in this busy and hectic world) to quiet your mind and heart and seek God about the nature of your existence?

Have you ever heard of a secret treasure that is easily found? I can’t think of a story that fits that mold. Every story ever told about a secret treasure involves adventure, risk, work, searching, fear, belief, attack and so on. If it didn’t would you read about it? Why would you think that it would be any different with trying to discover the secret treasure of your existence? It’s not just going to come to you in all of its fullness. No. You have to journey for it.

God’s Word says “Ask, and it shall be given. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) Do you see the sign? Do you get the nagging sense that there’s a journey to be encountered? Asking leads to seeking - which leads to Knocking - which leads to the door being opened - which leads to finding - which leads to you being given what you asked for.

But the majority of us will disqualify ourselves from discovering our true identity because we will want the easy way out and would rather imagine our lives as someone else… or would rather settle for a menial existence with no passion, creativity or fulfillment.

Will the real you stand up?

Let me know what you think.

-Allen Paul Weaver III