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Let's be real

Writer's picture: Chris EmmittChris Emmitt

When I say the words “bag cereal”, do you know what I’m talking about? If you grew up in a family that was on the lean side financially speaking, then you are probably all too very familiar with this cereal that comes in what seems like a 50-gallon trash bag. If you never had the privilege of enjoying generic cereal from a bag, let me explain it a little. You see, all the good cereal that you see on the TV commercials is on eye level. It’s is the premium spot for people to buy. Then, if you look down a bit you will see the “healthy” cereal (it tastes like cardboard). Continue on. Look down near ground level, in the place that has not been dusted this year. There, with their beady little knock-off character eyes, are the bagged cereals. Unlike their name-brand counter parts, these usually have some cheesy name: “Honey Nutty O’s”, “Fruit Hoops”, or “Fortunate Marshmallow Bits”. They try and convince you, but you can tell the instant you taste them that they are nothing like the real thing.


Do you know people like that? People, who claim to be one thing, but are not even close. They claim to be honest, but lie through their teeth. They claim to have high morals, but you’re pretty sure they can’t even define the word “moral.” They claim to be loyal, but you know the trail of hurt people they have left in their wake. People, who say one thing yet live another, are some of the most frustrating and disappointing people to be around.


During the time Jesus was on earth, there was a group of people who acted the exact same way. They were a group of religious people called Pharisees. They were always antagonizing Jesus, always living a two-faced life, and one day Jesus had just about enough. In the Bible this encounter is recorded in the book of Matthew:


Matthew 23:25 (NLT 2ndEd.) – What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy – full of greed and self-indulgence!


And a few verses later Jesus would also say:


Matthew 23:28 (NLT 2ndEd.) – Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.


Not much has changed in 2,000 years, huh? My hunch is: you don’t have to think very hard and you could list quite a few people like this.


The important question is this: Are you one of them?

What if we actually did what we said we were going to do? What if we lived they way we said we were going to live? And what if our actions matched our words? Think of the impact those small steps would make on the world around us.

It is highly probable that you will put this magazine down, and go on about your merry way. I’m fine with that. But are you?


Don’t follow in the footsteps of the bagged knock-off cereal. Be real. Be genuine. Be you.

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