Example
Reflection
Jesus made many profound statements:
‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40 NKJV
If there is one aspect of humanity we struggle with, its our own self-identity and self-esteem. This really affects how secure we are in ourselves. Putting this practically, I will use an analogy of a puzzle. You are a significant piece in a puzzle, significant because if you were lost, the puzzle lacks completion.
Imagine hearing the U2 song "I still haven't found what I'm looking for" playing in the background every day. What are these lyrics saying to you? Are these prophetic words confirming your present state or provoking you to seek deeper to find your purpose?
The above poem deliberately touches on the issues common to all of us. I am not pointing my finger directly at you. We all have to run through the gauntlet of these issues. We graduate though these harrowing times gaining much applicable wisdom.
Probably the most important mountain we climb is the one of self-acceptance! Like many mountaineers would say, Everest has some straightforward parts to climb. This journey of self-acceptance has easy and difficult times.
Unfortunately, we are brought up and crafted in a world where everything is conditional. If we don't do or have ….. all kinds of things, we are not accepted. Here's the thing; in Christ we are accepted no matter what or who we are. Ephesians 1:6 NKJV to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
The challenge is to accept yourself no matter what you are or are not good at! I say this because you will be talented and good at something, and there is always time to improve your skills in the areas you are lacking in.
In the above poem, the last 3 lines ask an important question. Can you imagine being able to be yourself and more so applying for a lifetime job to be yourself? How would that feel to not be at all phased by the silent pressure around you to conform?
It certainly takes courage to stand up and be yourself. The quote by Mark Twain "the 2 most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you realize WHY" alludes to you being and finding yourself. One thing which tries to constantly destroy you is the opinions of others for you to not be yourself!
I believe God created us to manage ourselves.
Please, for your own sake, don't be influenced or succumb to these opinions or plans.
Questions
# - Do you struggle with loving yourself, if so, have you been able to understand why you do or don't?
# - Loving others is easy, or is it? Why?
# - The interesting thing in the commandment is to love others AS you love yourself, so how do you love yourself in a real and caring way?
This whole post is about the vagaries of loving and caring for ourselves. Unfortunately, I believe we view ourselves through the stained glass windows of our past failures and foibles. Then we compare ourselves with everyone else and are affected by the opinions they have which we have taken to heart.
Today's Verse
For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 2 Corr 10:12 amp
Scripture Meditation
Here is a practical exercise for you to do with the verse of the day.
1 - Write the verse out in your own personalised version.
2 - What is God saying to you through it?
3 - How is this verse affecting and developing your intimacy and mindset with God?