As I consider the challenges I face, and also as I work with my family members, Church members, and other people with whom I interact, I am amazed at how often the core issue is the way each of us view ourselves as something less than what we really are. Self-deprecation is not humility. Sensing and believing that we represent the greatest creation of God, and that our possibilities and potential are literally limitless, is not pride. One useful definition of pride is enmity towards God. When we mistakenly view ourselves as inadequate, or unimportant, or inconsequential, we are in that instance exhibiting enmity towards God, as we are placing at naught his message that we are his children, and that his work and his glory is to assist us to become just like him. This is not just a lofty but ultimately unattainable goal; rather it is a certainty, if we totally buy into the vision.
A famous quote by Alexander Pope is initially inspiring, but then depressing – Hope springs eternal in the human breast; man never is, but always to be blessed.
This is not to say that pride is not a pervasive problem, as it definitely is. However, this pride often manifests itself in a way that is different than the attitude of – I am the best, I am better than others. More often than not it plays out this way – this is the way I am, and I cannot change. A more correctly stated description of this attitude is – this is the way I am (a natural man, an enemy to God), and I will not change.
This false sense of humility often leads individuals to shrink from even attempting to excel. I am inspired by a quote from Nelson Mandela’s inaugural address:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of
spirit. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. You were born to make manifest the glory of spirit that is within us. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone. And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
His message becomes even more direct, when we substitute the word God for Spirit.
A noble goal for any person is to help others see who they really are, and who they can actually become.
I know this is true! I am so grateful to have been raised with such a clear teaching that I am great because I come from God. This helped me to realize that I need God and that he will help me. I think this is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children, that there is greatness in them because they come from God. It then becomes natural and necessary to go to him for help and it becomes very easy to believe that you can return to Him. This was taught to me so clearly growing up and it continues to be the foundation of Who I am.
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