From Idealistic to Authentic

According to one definition, being idealistic is “dreaming of perfection, either in yourself or others.” When I read this, I feel the familiar pull of idealism in my own life as I long for everyone and everything to turn out perfectly. Can you relate? Perhaps idealism is why I gravitate towards Bible passages such as Revelation 21:1-4, which says, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’” The thought of everything being made new fills my soul with such joy I can hardly contain it! Yet here we are in the old, trying to navigate in a world where things are far from ideal. So, how can we set aside our idealistic expectations and live authentically?  

Created by Skylar Cochran, Thumbnail & Stock footage courtesy of Canva.com 

Originally published February 12, 2025.