Isn’t it funny how some ideas “stick” and
some do not? I mean how you can be part of literally thousands of classes,
workshops, seminars, and sermons and hear so many potentially life-altering
ideas, yet most will not really “stick.” I have had to opportunity to hear many
learned people, sharing great insights on life, work, religion, politics, etc.
But, there is one that is firmly entrenched in my thoughts, from the early
1980’s.
Dr. Willard Tate came to Montgomery,
Alabama. Faculty and staff were given a day off to go and participate in a
workshop he was presenting. I don’t recall where it took place. I think it was
a local church building. I do not recall how many of us attended. I do remember
it was in a small room. I do not recall the name of the workshop. It could have
been “Enlightening Paul,” for all I know. If it were the case, it couldn’t have
been more aptly named!
As part of our workshop, we were provided,
or purchased (I have already established the lack of memory on the minor issues
of this event), a book by Dave Grant, The Ultimate Power: How to be a Great
Lover of People. Whoever paid for it, it was money well spent! Dr. Tate and Mr.
Grant changed my life. They presented ideas that challenged my thinking,
exposed the fallacies of the “world,” and set me on a different course. There
were many great lessons shared.
My greatest take-away from that workshop, is
the deadly world trait of comparison. The world (read: Satan) wants us to
compare ourselves, as we attempt to find value. The world tells us we have
value, or achieve greatness, based on how we look, what we know, or what we do.
Think about it. All advertising is based on these three ideas. “Use our product
and you will be beautiful, then you will be loved.” “Learn this information and
you will be recognized and appreciate, then you have truly arrived.” “Choose
this major, take this job, and you will gain status, then you will be
respected.” Even when we don’t say it in so many words, we say it. It comes
across loud and clear. “Look at the beautiful people. Look at the smart people.
Look at the achievers. Surely, you want to be like them. Do what they do.” The
world’s love becomes conditional upon how we look, what we know, and what we
do.
The world-crushing truth is that we can’t
measure up. There will ALWAYS be someone who is more beautiful/handsome,
smarter, or can outperform us. We cannot measure up. So, the world hurts. No
matter the neighborhood in which they live, the job they perform, the pew in
which they sit, people are being hurt by the world's solution – comparison.”
I imagine that God must look at us and say,
“What is wrong with you? Why would you compare yourself to man. Man, who is
weak and sinful. I offer you a better solution.” “Why do you fret about your outward
appearance? What will you do as you age and the appearance changes? Have you
not learned that I look on the inside? A loving, pure heart is the most
beautiful thing in the world. You work on that.” He must shake his head and say,
“Don’t worry about what you know, beyond my Word. Come to know me and you will
know all that matters.” Then, He gently places His hand on our shoulder and
speaks, “I do not care about your work. Do My will: Love Me with all your
heart, soul, and mind. Serve in my kingdom, faithfully, and you have achieved.”
I have value. That value comes from God. The
world has nothing to offer but hurt, suffering, and brokenness. “I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven. As the
eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a female slave look to
the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us His mercy.” Psalms 123:1-2
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