Authenticity

Our objective must be to teach to change lives. A HUGE stumbling block to this level of teaching is "faking it" to impress others. I believe there is a strong correlation between authenticity of the person teaching and God's willingness to use that person to change lives.

I'm pleading with you to take the only course the Lord laid out: seek His face, and repent. Ask Him to make you into an authentic teacher and leader and lover of souls.

It may help to meditate on these lyrics from Casting Crown's song "Stained Glass Masquerade":

Stained Glass Masquerade Lyrics
Is there anyone that failsIs there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small
Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strongI know they’ll soon discover
That I don’t belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything’s okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I’ll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the heart again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain

But if the invitation’s open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone who’s been there
Are there any hands to raise

Am I the only one who’s traded
In the altar for a stage
The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be
Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay