Who Are You Today?
For by the grace given to me I say to
every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but
rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God
has distributed to each of you. – Romans 12:3
I was momentarily speechless, a rare occurrence for
me. I looked at her face. She was genuinely concerned about something that had
happened back in high school. Really? That was more than 40 years ago.
She was a woman facing an identity crisis. Anyone could
see that. She’d married young, birthed her children and now spoiled
grandchildren whenever she could. She was also unemployed. She had way too much
time on her hands. She had time to consider high school, her “glory” days.
She wanted to know if she’d hurt me and others we’d
grown up with. Why? Because she’d become a cheerleader – basketball for one
year – and hung out with the popular students. Really? Her arrogance amazed me.
She didn’t hurt me all those years ago but she certainly pushed my button on
this day.
Everyone has different gifts. Everyone accomplishes
different things. We are all unique and called to work together to bring glory
to God. All those friends she believed she’d “left behind” were people who
accomplished many things in their areas of giftedness. She was oblivious to
anyone but herself.
We like to toot our own horns, don’t we? I love that cliché
because it’s just so on target to what actually happens. We’ve been taught to
brag on ourselves because, after all, who else will do it? It’s that struggle
between healthy self-esteem and wallowing in our own pride.
I am proud
of my accomplishments. I also recognize that I can do nothing, be nothing,
without God’s help and guidance. All good things come from Him. I want so much
to live a life that brings glory to God Almighty. Sometimes I get that right.
More often, I get it wrong.
I remember the
past but I don’t dwell there. The journey has molded me into the person I am
today. The hardships, the heartbreak, the joys and accomplishments all combine
together to make me the person I am. The journey through the valley has led me
to appreciate all the blessings God has given to me that much more.
This woman was trying desperately to cling to a past
that she believed gave her value. She “remembered” things that never happened
or just weren’t accurate. (I have never had red hair. Sorry.) And she tried to
argue when I attempted to gently point out that her facts were wrong.
It was sad really. She has so many blessings in her
life. She has so many ways that God can use her in the present and in the
future. But first she has to let go of the past. First, she has to stop getting
her value from what she sees is her lofty position from long ago.
Our value comes from who we are in Christ. Our worth
is measured in how we live in His light. Our glory days are yet to come when we
finally make it home. Don’t get hung up in the past. Remember who you are today
and live your life in humility, seasoned with grace, and focused on the One
from whom all blessings flow.
