Real

by Elrene van Staden

The Adventures of Pinocchio is a children’s story about a wooden puppet who wishes to become a real boy. Most likely, you’ve read the book or watched the film. However, we sometimes look past the golden thread woven through these children’s stories. There is something of value hidden within them for everyone. As C.S. Lewis said, “A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest.”

In The Velveteen Rabbit, there is a precious passage about “being real” that I believe may have an even more profound impact on adults than on children:

“It doesn't happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.”

Have we lost sight of what it means to be real? Somewhere between growing up and becoming responsible, we got distracted along the way - confused by how we think we should act or look, creating copies of unrealistic identities.

Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 18:3–4

God knows we are not flawless, so what is the point of trying so diligently to convince the rest of the world otherwise? If we were perfect, Jesus Christ died for nothing.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. - 1 John 1:8–10

How small is your circle? Those few friends with whom you can be completely yourself - your real relationships. If those relationships are so precious to you, have you considered that God might want that kind of relationship with you too? How do you talk to Him? Do you wear a religious mask? Would you want your loved ones to be pretentious like that with you, or do you prefer the cold, hard truth? Is that not honesty?

We tend to get confused, pushing ourselves into boxes we do not fit into. In some cases, we even try to cram God into the tiny box we have created for Him. He will never fit - and neither will you. Allow God to show you who He created you to be.

God carefully knitted you together, creating an authentic masterpiece - one that is absolute and entirely different from everyone else. He has a heavenly purpose for your life, designed specifically for you: your personality, your history, your hopes, your dreams, and your victories through battles.

Heavenly Father, You have created us to be real. Help us to see ourselves the way You see us. Help us never to hide our shame from You, like Adam and Eve, but instead to run towards You - because Your grace is sufficient for us, and Your power is made perfect in weakness. Help us to be true to ourselves and to those around us.

In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.