Deep down, most
people have an unspoken (or not-so-unspoken) opinion of themselves.
They evaluate their worth and potential by other people's qualities.
They have a mental scale of who they are. For example:
Appearance:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 Athletic: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10
Intelligence:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 Talent: 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10
Popularity:
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Job Status: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10
Wealth: 1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Family Acceptance: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10
Reputation: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Religious
Devotion: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 RESULT:
73/100
Wow,
seventy-three! You are an above average person. Wrong. I realize that
my example of a “mental scale” may have been a bit exaggerating,
but you get the point, right? People gather all their information
based on others they see, read about, or live with. (Isn't amazing
how incapable we feel attending the World Olympics or a national
music competition?) Even if we do not want to compare our lives with
others, it comes so naturally. It is dangerous. Comparing with others
with leads down two paths: the looking-good pride or the self pity
and ignorance pride that refuses to see glory and purpose in each
individual. We cannot lay our score of seven-three before God and
expect that He will judge our worth by it. I encourage you to write
down on a 1 – 10 scale the opinion you have of yourself. Then, one
by one, erase them. Permanently. No Christian that has that list can
walk down the street without judging others by it. Human character
math goes something like this:
Desirable
Appearance + Impressive Performance = Successful
Intelligence
– (Wealth + Popularity) = Unsuccessful
INCORRECT.
Appearance, performance, and all the other human qualities are
changing traits. The only character that adds up is God's character
within us, because its factors are unchangeable and true. In the
beginning God created the humans in His image. Saved or unsaved, we
are all born with the worth and potential to have good success in
God's eyes. If we would simply accept God's gift of eternal life and
live trusting His Word and purpose, we will have completed our
mission on earth. Joshua 1:8-9 says,
“This
book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt
meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do
according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make
thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not
I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid,
neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord
thy
God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Living
the law cannot save anyone, but living by the truth of God's law we
are guaranteed good success –in God's eyes. You see, God's view of
potential and success are completely different than the world's. When
I was younger, I believed that if I achieved the level that was
pleasing to me, I would have reached success. Success cannot be
measured by any level we set. Truly, success
is about recognizing God's level
and as an result living a life that humbly loves and magnifies Him.
Despite
the fact that we are not to compare with others, it is true that
people have different appearances and abilities. How should we
address this? We should be in awe of God's variety, enjoy it, and use
our own gifts to fulfill His glory! How do people's comments effect
you? Whether criticism or compliment, their words should encourage
you to embrace God's design of you. Do your comments to others have
the motive of thanking God for the gifts He placed in their lives? If
we do not believe that unsaved individuals have the potential to be a
godly Christian, then why would God have us living on earth today?
May He give us a greater faith and vision in the power of His
Salvation.
We are not only to think humbly of ourselves, but also truthfully
according the measure of gifts God has given us.
“For
I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among
you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but
to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the
measure of faith, (Romans 12:3).”
Imagine
we are in our nineties, sitting in adjustable recliners and trying
paying medical bills. Life on earth is almost over. What will having had good looks, high school popularity, and a healthy college career be
worth then? Nothing. What will
mean something is seeing grandchildren (or others you have ministered
to) loving and serving God –knowing true success. Exchange your
idea of success for God's view of success. Make the Bible the
blueprint of your identity. Do not be harmed and unusable by
believing lies about yourself. You were created in the image of God!
