Marching to the Beat ...

Are we really marching to the beat of our hearts?
Are we being true to who we are?
To our values and beliefs?

This is a picture of my youngest daughter, who decided that it was in her heart to become a drummer. She was true to her heart, followed her belief that this was a good choice, and then went for it!
She loves it and finds much joy in it.

Hmmm...follow your heart...find joy!

The latest book I've read, called "I Quit" by Geri Scazerro, has a theme of "quitting" behaviors and patterns that are unhealthy to us emotionally and spiritually and relationally.
She explains this in terms of integrity.
Her definition of integrity made an impression upon my heart...
Living our lives in line with our beliefs and values.
This thought gave me pause to evaluate whether or not I am living my life congruent with my beliefs and values.
If we are not, we are causing unhealthy emotions and relationships
and compromising our spiritual lives in Christ.

So the question is...
Am I true to who God made me to be?

Sometimes I think it is easier to bend and form
to the gridwork of other's values and beliefs.
This can come in the many forms...

We don't want to rock the boat or hurt anyone's feelings or be misunderstood.
(Not being courageous to stand for what we know is important.)

We are afraid how we feel and what we think are in some way invalid or not as important as another person's.
(This can be living in fear ...but not Godly fear.)

We try to live our lives like we are someone else.
(This can reveal our lack of thankfulness to appreciate God's unique design
and if we are not careful, it can become idol worship in varying degrees.)

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We spend much time urging our kids, teenagers especially, to not follow the crowd, or break under peer pressure, to speak up for what they know in their hearts is right and stand firm, but do we live what we say in our own lives?

Authenticity isn't always easy or all wrapped up pretty,
but it is what we are called to.

Are we truly modeling healthy relationships and authenticity?
Do we say yes, when we mean no?
Do we live in pretense letting everything "look" okay?
Do we "stuff" issues that should be addressed?
Do we say one thing and do the other?
Do we agree just to get along and avoid conflict?
Do we bend the truth?
Are these things rooted in pride and/or fear?

How many people slowly lose who they are in the midst of this world and its demands?
Have we given up pursuing the life and calling that God made us for?
Did we forget the amazing fire in our hearts to live for Him?
Have we stopped doing things we love that bring us joy and give us life?

Is it time to refocus and ask God to impress His heart on us again?

The more we are able to live in personal integrity
(align our lives with our values and beliefs
in thankfulness, wonder, and amazement of who God made us to be),
the more authentic our lives become.

We can live and move and breath
with the direction of the Holy Spirit,
be a vessel through which Living Waters flow...
refresh and be refreshed as we live in Truth and Grace.