One of my favorite books is the western Flint by Louis L’Amour.  It is a book concerning the growth of a young boy into adulthood and his life lessons.  Within the book, the young boy’s guardian, Flint, teaches him his truths concerning life.  One of his truths states: “Never let them know how you feel or what you are thinking.  If they know how you feel they know how to hurt you, and if they hurt you once, they will try again.”

Louis L’Amour had a fascinating way presenting the truth of our society, of mankind.  It is hard to truly open up to another individual.  You want their acceptance, trust, and love.  Therefore, everyone creates to some degree or another, an alternate self; that self which is presented to others around them.  It is not one’s true self, it is created with the sole purpose of fulfilling the need of being wanted and loved. 

The irony of the book Flint is that in the end, the now grown boy does open up to a woman who accepts him.  She allows her love for him to over look all his faults and failures and accept him for who he is. 

Few people are free to live life as them.  Most of us run around wearing a mask, hiding, afraid that we will not please another, but most of all afraid of letting people know who we are really.  It is simple just to hide. 

Jesus stated that what is hidden in the closet will be exposed to all.  So no matter how much we try to hide our true self, sooner or later it will be exposed. People will accept or reject, but Jesus promised that He will never reject you or I.  He wants us just the way we are.

Now if, you have accepted Jesus as Lord, that means you are taking on His traits.  That means you must accept people for who they are, because you were accepted, just as you are.

“Love one another, by this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love another.”

John 13: 34, 35