
If I had to pick on word to define my deepest desires for my relationships, community, faith, words, life, love, and coffee - it would be authenticity. I look around me today and I see a culture that largely lacks such a adjective. Yet, at the same time I see a culture that deeply desires it. You can see it everywhere like in post-modern architectural trends like new-urbanism. You can even see it in some of the movies and books that have recently become popular. But it's the saccharine version of what is real, its authenticity-light® - and it's just not real.
The great irony that we exist in is this - we all desire authenticity, but few of us are willing to risk what it actually takes to get there. But it doesn't have to be this way. I believe we can all discover the God-given authenticity that we desire; however, I also know that it will be a radical journey that is sure to have a few bumps along the way.