If you type the words ‘authentic life’ into Google’s search bar, plenty of articles – even well into the second and third pages – will appear. I guess many people are on the quest for the genuine life. Hence, “experts” write so much about it.

What is an Authentic Life?
5 Ways to Live an Authentic Life
Ways of Living an Authentic Life
Living an Authentic Life
The Path to Living Authentically
A Self-Made 12-Step Program for Living an Authentic Life
Are You Living An Authentic Life?

Isn’t it ironic that we need someone else’s opinion on the life that WE want to lead? Also, isn’t it derisive that social media like Facebook tells us to live however we want and then blast us with how-to’s on every aspect of life?

But, of course, we need guidance from people who have been there and who have done that. The first influence we receive are the expectations from our parents. The second is copying what our friends are doing, a.k.a. peer pressure. The third is doing things our bosses want us to accomplish.

There is a fine line, though, between doing what we need to and what we want to. There is a tension between fulfilling responsibilities and pursuing our own passions. There is confusion between having a life patterned after somebody else’s and having a life resulting from our own conscious decisions.

There is someone I know who, without a doubt, lives a genuine life.

Jesus Christ.

How?

• He knows His life purpose.
  Luke 19:9-10 (NIV)
  John 18:37 (NIV)
• He came to do God’s will. He listens to His Father.
  John 5:30 (NIV)
  John 6:38 (NIV)
• He sticks to His beliefs and principle, and acts on them.
  John 2:14-16 (NIV)
• He uses His gift of teaching, gift of healing, gift of performing miracles to help others and share God’s love.
• He’s not concerned with what people think. He cares about what God thinks.
  John 5:44 (NIV)
• He finishes His work.
  John 5:35-36 (NIV)
  John 19:30 (NIV)
  John 17:4-5 (NIV)

I have identified my purpose… And, Jesus showed me how to live an authentic life.

All I have to do now is to learn more of God’s truth, that is, the Bible, to learn more of God’s will. Simultaneously, apply His Word in my life and take actions to fulfill my purpose.

My genuine life is anchored on truth and is being lived according to my own unique purpose.

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

A Living Sacrifice
¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 

What does your authentic life look like? 🙂