We hear all the time people saying that they want authenticity. There are videos, books and sermons all about how to be authentic. We are constantly searching for this and attempting to teach it. You would think by now, after all the other amazing discoveries we have made, we would have figured out how to achieve this. But maybe we have been going about it all wrong?

I went to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary to find out exactly what authenticity is. They write that authenticity is one, real or genuine; not copied or false; two, true and accurate; three, made to be or look just like an original.

So what does that mean for us? In relation to our character and daily lives, we have to be genuine and true. That being said, this has to be true 100 percent of the time in order for it to be true authenticity. Think about some antique jewelry. You can’t say it’s authentic half of the time and then half of the time it’s not. It either is or it isn’t. The same would go for “true and accurate.” Then, the “made to be like an original” part throws an interesting curveball. For those of us who are currently seeking to be authentic, we must be formed and shaped like an original to have what we truly desire. So who would be the original? Who can we look at and trust to be authentic 100% of the time and can trust to set the standard? For me, I believe without a doubt it is God. There is no one on earth who can live up to the rules of authenticity that I previously stated. We have to have a standard to trace our lives around.

In reality, to live with authenticity is only possible when living for Jesus. If you are like me and desperately want to live a truthful, real, and complete life, the only way to have that is by living like Christ. Unfortunately, we cannot suddenly become or create authenticity ourselves. Authenticity is not a switch. It is not something you can all of a sudden turn on or turn off. If that were the case, then we wouldn’t be living by the rules set in that very definition I just wrote. We would cancel ourselves out, just like if we found that the antique wasn’t completely authentic.

That is also why we cannot teach five steps to quick authenticity. It just doesn’t happen. The truth is, authenticity is a way of life. It is a characteristic that comes from the heart. And with all things with the heart, it is a process. It is difficult to change the ways of a heart in a matter of seconds or a through a simple “to do” list. To be truly authentic requires a life change. From what I have found in my personal journey, only God is capable of that. And even then, it is still a process.

That brings me to another point. Authenticity, being a process, is something we will have to fight for. It is not a yearly, or a monthly battle. It is a 24/7 fight to remain authentic. The reason being is our hearts are deceitful. It wants only to please itself and true authenticity does not go along with that. In order to change a heart and maintain true authenticity, we fight in prayer. It takes a daily surrender and a consistent prayer for us to obtain this. Jesus says in Luke 9:23 to set aside our selfish ambitions, carry our cross daily and then follow him. In order to seek a true heart change, which is what is necessary for authenticity, you have to surrender your selfish heart and carry your “cross.” In other words, let your old self die and let the new come in.

Now, some may not agree with what I have had to say. Some may think that you don’t really need God to reach this certain lifestyle. You may be fighting every word that I just wrote in your heart. But I just want to tell you, I have tried to find other ways. I have done my best to run and make something of myself without God. I can promise that you won’t find that missing piece. It will always be a constant search for something more, until you come to the conclusion that only God can fit in a God size hole. I have good news, that it is absolutely possible for us to fill that gap thanks to the love and sacrifice from Jesus Christ.

So, if this is you today, searching for authenticity, desiring just a little more but can’t seem to grasp it, I want to encourage you. Just give God a chance. He just might show you exactly what you were looking for.