The lost art of authenticity

If you had to choose between an 18 hour drive and a 3 hour flight to reach the same destination what would you choose? That’s the decision that the newly-announced boss of Starbucks, Brian Niccol, has come under fire for.

He commuted almost 1,000 miles (1,600km) from his family home in Newport Beach, California to the firm's headquarters in Seattle on a corporate jet.

Initially, I struggled to see what was particularly newsworthy about Niccol’s actions. Who wouldn’t pick the shorter commute given the choice? However, I began to appreciate that the issue people have is with the perceived discrepancy between the company's public stance on green issues and the lifestyles of its top executives.

Our world hates hypocrisy. Which of course is hypocritical in itself because we are all, in one way or another, guilty of presenting as one thing but doing the opposite. That’s what human beings have been doing in their hearts since way back in the Garden of Eden. We all default to taking a leaf out of Adam’s book and strategically placing fig leaves around us to cover our shame.

The magnetic draw of a new intention

The good news of the gospel, however, liberates us from the often suffocating need to pretend. When I was in my 20’s I yearned of being a cultural influencer for Christ. Now that I’m approaching my 40’s, perhaps I’m coming to see that the best way to be a ‘history maker’ is to live a life of godly simplicity.

I love how Paul describes his life as being one of integrity and godly sincerity^[1]. I can’t think of two more counter cultural words to speak to people in Corinth, the city that elevated and sought the impressive.

Paul’s life is an open book. No skeletons in the closet. No exaggerated achievements. No hidden motives. Just heart on sleeve about his struggles and weaknesses as they magnify the sufficiency of Jesus. That’s the effect on a heart gripped by the grace of Jesus Christ.

In our world today, that seems so restless and distracted, such a take on life is wildly attractive. I sat in on a seminar recently that explored the values that Generation Z^[2] are seeking in a work place. Very high up on that list was the desire for authenticity. People have had enough of fake news, virtue signalling and leadership scandals.

The Church, therefore, has a wonderful opportunity, as it presses into knowing Christ more, to showcase simplicity to a world parched of it.

I’m an avid listener of the You’re Not Crazy^[3] podcast with pastors Sam Allberry and Ray Ortlund. Recently, Sam was reflecting on the life of his friend Tim Keller who has now died and gone to be with the Lord. One thing in particular struck me about what Sam said. He reflected that he didn’t quite realise until Tim died just how much he needed to see a believer finish the race well. That’s an insight worth reflecting on.

Simplicity and godly sincerity. Now there’s some words to put on the side of your next personalised coffee mug.

^{[1] 2 Corinthians 1:12
[2] Gen Z are those born between 1997 and 2012
[3] https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/youre-not-crazy/}