“Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food” (Proverbs 12:9).
Unpretentious living is an invitation to down-to-earth interactions with others. Rest and relaxation attend to those who are true to themselves without acting like someone they are not. However, pretentious speech and behavior require extra energy for engagement. Contentment is illusive and intimacy is an illusion. I become the most stressful when I feel I have to live up to something or be someone I am not.
Moreover, when you are real and not fake, your friends feel the freedom to be the same. You give off energy instead of forever sucking it from others. In honesty, I often ask myself, “Am I being myself, or am I trying to dress, talk, drive a certain car, or live in a high-status neighborhood that is motivated by a need to be somebody I am not?” Pretense is birthed out of pride, but humility is the fruit of unpretentious living.
Jesus is clear, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11 NASB). In Christ you are somebody. High or low net worth, large or small home, new or used car, prestigious university or common college, in Him you are somebody. You are somebody to your Savior Jesus.
The Bible says, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Out of your simple faith and modesty, the Lord takes center stage of your life. Humility positions you to point people to heaven. Therefore, keep your life unencumbered so people can see your Savior shine forth. Ask yourself, “Whom am I trying to impress, people I really do not know or the Lover of my soul, Jesus?”
The Bible says, “Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ” (Galatians 6:12).
