The Emperor's New Clothes

Be Real

I am sure that you have probably heard the story of The Emperor's New Clothes written by Hans Christian Andersen.  If you have not heard the story or simply forget what it is about, click this link http://www.andersen.sdu.dk/vaerk/hersholt/TheEmperorsNewClothes_e.html to read the story before you read this entry.

Lately I have been thinking about how we, as human beings, can very easily find ourselves pretending to be something we are not.  In a sense we are like that emperor, putting on invisible clothing (a facade).  We think that this impresses others.  We know it is not real, yet we talk ourselves into continued living in this manner.  

Why do we do this?  There are many reasons.  Some people are just people-pleasers.  When that person realizes that he/she does not live up to another person's ideal, they simply pretend to be something they are not in order to feel accepted.  But is this true acceptance?

Other people may be ashamed of something in their life.  Rather than dealing with that issue, that person pretends it does not exist; hides it by putting on an invisible garment.  All the while that person feels the shame in the pit of their being and never comes to the point of working on that area or accepting that part of who they are.  

There are many other reasons that people chose to put on the invisible garment.  The reason is not really what is important.  What is really important is what happens when people choose to live a life dressed in invisible clothing. 

Initially, the person repeats the lie or acts differently.  Eventually they come to believe the lie.  The facade becomes a way of life.  Essentially, that person becomes just like the emperor, walking around in their underwear, but so certain that they are dressed in the finest clothing that money can buy. 

The lie/facade becomes so much a part of their life that they overlook the confusion of those who know them.  Just like the emperor shrugged off the child who pointed out that he did not have any clothes on, so to this person living a lie will disregard the confusion and sometimes even the hurt of those who know them so well.

Sometimes the facade is so ingrained that even when the person is exposed they feel obligated to continue on promoting the lie.  This is what the emperor did when he insisted on finishing out the parade, even when he knew that he was not wearing any clothes.

Pride takes over and instead of admitting that it was a lie, the person digs in deeper.  The person becomes unwilling to change.  I wonder if this is because the person has begun to belief the lie to be true or if they are just to ashamed to admit that it was a lie.  Either way, pride often ends up winning.

In the end, the person living the lie/facade ends up being revealed for what he/she truly is.  Just as the people of the kingdom saw through the Emperor's clothes, friends and relatives will see through the act that the person is putting on.  Even if the person never stops living the lie, those who know the person will come to realize his/her true nature.  

It would have been much better to accept who you are or to not worry about what others think than to chose to put on those invisible clothes.  You may be afraid of not being accepted or of being embarrassed, but facing those fears is much better that facing people who you love and having to admit that you have been living a lie.

My challenge for everyone is to be real.  Don't be afraid to be who you are.  No one is perfect.  We are all works in progress.  God made everyone unique.  Strive to live your life for Him, embracing that fact that He made you to be who you are.  

If there is an area where you struggle, give it to God.  Trust Him to help you conquer that area.  face that problem, trial, or imperfection, knowing that you will overcome when you put your trust in the Lord.  Don't be afraid to be who you are.  After all, God loves you with an everlasting love.  That should mean more to you than the approval of any man, woman, or child.