Cut the strut

We all know those among us who think they are the greatest and truly believe that they are God’s gift to the world. This trait is unappealing and no one likes to see someone strutting around like a peacock completely full of themselves. I saw an interview with some of the famous band the Eagles the other day and to a band member they were mightily convinced of just how great they are ad nauseum. I like to hear their music, but they all but made me physically sick to listen to them brag and it was a shining example of arrogance at its worst. Much is in the Bible about remaining humble and we should endeavor to develop a humble spirit in spite of our self-recognized “greatness”.

Less pervasive perhaps, but noticeable and just as dangerous is low self esteem. Personally I think it is just as wrong to have low self esteem as to be convinced that you are the greatest thing since sausage and biscuits. Consider that the Bible assures us that it was God that designed us. (That is far better than Armani.) The design process actually begins in the womb, something the abortionists and abortionees’ should carefully consider when they flippantly refer to babies in the womb as nothing more than a lump of flesh and/or fetus.

“Psalm 140:13-14, 16; “When I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth, Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed” “You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made”

Some of us have made a mess of God’s skillful work by over-eating and not exercising. Others choose to enhance God’s work with tattooing, piercing, adding and taking away via plastic surgery. Some want to be taller, shorter, fatter, skinnier, have blue, green, or brown eyes, have blonde, brunette, or alas even green and shocking blue hair. God sees all of this from on high and I wonder what He must think about some of what He sees. Is it comical to Him? Or does He sadly shake His head? I suspect some of both.

One interesting fact about God is that He can see our heart. The heart as defined in the Bible is more than just a muscle that pumps life giving oxygen enriched blood throughout our bodies; it is the essence of our being. The Bible states that our hearts are fashioned “individually”. Hmmm How could anyone have low self-esteem knowing that?

The Bible also states that His eyes are always on the righteous and He hears their cry and He delivers them out of their troubles. The Bible goes on to say that God is near to those who have a broken heart or contrite spirit. If you truly believe the Bible to be the unerring word of our God and Savior, you should not have low self esteem. Your creator knows you, is watching you, and loves you so much that He would rather subject Himself to humiliation and go on to die a horrible death at the hands of evil men, than to be separated eternally from you.

Oh you of low self esteem, hold your head high today and rejoice in knowing that God Himself fashioned and designed you to achieve a very special purpose for His creation and that you are something very special to Him. (And again to quote the Bible, “If God is for you who can stand against you?”)

Oh you of unusually high self esteem, humble yourself before the Lord, (and your fellow man), and recognize that it is God that should be getting the glory; so cut the strut.

A healthy balance, now that is what is needed…

Psalm 33:15
He fashions their hearts
individually;
He considers all of their works