Take children engaged in a contest, or more pleasantly put a game. Two teams each in a struggle to gain more points by using what skill they have. On the side lines a collection of parents, coaches, and spectators. As the game progresses careful observation reveals that each child has their own set of strengths and weakness. Quite quickly those with the skill and confidence begin to do very well at the game while still others struggle. On the sidelines the spectators are taking notice. They begin to cheer the good work of the players. Before the game is over the names of those few who have shown real ability are mentioned time and again with enthusiasm. Looking carefully at the faces of those players who find themselves less suited to the demands of the game, it is evident that they are struggling. A storm is brewing in those little minds, and some have twisted up more courage from their reserve, while others begin to slip into self doubt. This is a critical time. How many times in your life have you felt loss and with that loss the mind begins to drag from the past everything you dislike about yourself. The crush begins and the retreat, and there seems to be no rescue.
We excel with confidence and when thoughts of those who consistently make the cut come to the fore it is typically the beautiful that succeed time after time. Is it physique or is it a life time of, your so handsome, your so pretty, your so smart, I sure like you, everyone likes you. In broad terms we humans all have similar equipment and can all with diligence and practice become quite good at anything we set our minds to. Is it our self image that cripples our ability? Everyone see the attractive and outgoing individuals exalted. The majority of the population knows that invisible and overlooked feeling that goes hand and hand with being what many would describe as just plain. The same child that hears the praise of the winners is deeply affected by their own momentary vanishing.
God has an earnest desire that we see who we are. He desires that our perspective be lifted above the view point of the masses and the mass marketers. He desires us to experience the freedom that comes with regarding his opinion of who we are and how we appear to be first and foremost our measure of worth.
1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the
outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
This is the beginning of the becoming. In the moment is being, in a lifetime is the becoming, and at the moment of death we arrive in the presence of the creator. All things will be made new even the very name that or Father in heaven will call us by. Our responsibility is to allow His love to impact us now. When His love changes us it changes the world. We need nothing more or less than to be imitators of Jesus.
Ephesians 5:1-2
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Philippians 2:5-9
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.
John 3:30
He must increase, but I must decrease.
