Grace Academy

Are you Authentic?

Do you ever feel that you fail to connect to your students or to any young person of this current generation?  Have you ever asked why?  This current generation is the most relational generation ever.  Just consider all of the items that are part of their daily activities….texting, instant messaging, Skype, MySpace, Twitter, and Facebook.  All are part of social networking.  All of us to an extent are relational.  The fastest growing number of Facebook users are those people ages 45-55.  However, what sets this current generation of young people apart is their desire for transparency and authenticism.  Any guesses where they are not seeing this take place?  You guess it—church!  Do our students see transparency and authenticism at Grace Academy? 

The church is in desperate need of more people who facilitate a deeper, more authentic vision of the Christian faith in our culture.  The church feels as though it is impacting culture and this current generation of young people.  64% of those within the church believe outsiders see their motives as genuine, authentic and relative.  The staggering reality is that 10% of outsiders believe the church and Christians are genuine, authentic and relative.  Why such the difference and perverted perception?  Consider the parable of the Lost Son from Luke 15..One son comes to his father and demands to have his share of wealth.  He proceeds to live a worldly life.  After spending all of his money he was impoverished and was eating the pods of swine and the key in verse 16 is that no one was giving him anything. 

The young man finally comes to his senses and decides to return to his father.  Verse 20 says that while he was a long way off his father saw him and because of his compassion for his son, ran after him, kissed him and embraced him.  His father goes onto to command his servants to bring the best robe and sandals for his son and he proceeds to adorn his finger with a ring.  He commands them to kill a fattened calf and the celebration begins. 

While all of this is taking place his older son is in the field working.  Upon returning from tending the field he sees the celebration and is offended and obstinate and refuses to partake in the festivities.  He deeply desired to be rewarded for his faithfulness and service. 

Who was authentic?  Of course, it was the father.  Many times we become like the older son…God look at all the things I have done.  I have faithfully served; I have not cursed you or turned my back, where are my rewards.  We look at the person who has walked away and returns to church and we resent the fact how people surround them and lavish them with invites to their homes or offer words of encouragement and adoration.  The father saw past the squandered wealth and loose living of his son and celebrated the fact that his son had repented and corrected his life.  His love was conditional and his heart pure.  How do we approach others?  How do we approach our students?  Are we looking for opportunities to celebrate what God is doing in young people’s lives or are we too worried about what is not going our way.  The older son was busy doing…his father was busy serving.  Someone who serves is authentic, while someone who is busy is seen as superficial and looking for accolades and not genuinely caring for others.  

By living authentic lives we can connect to our students beyond just using words.  We need to pray to have a servant’s heart as well as servant hands.  Pray for specific opportunities to connect with your class(es) as well as looking for opportunities to be transparent.  God is doing some great things at Grace Academy but at the same time he is calling us to a higher position in regards to how we handle the students entrusted into our care.  He is seeking those who are willing to be authentic and real before our students so they see a model of Christianity.