Who Do You Think You Are?

(Proverbs 23:7 KJV)  For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

Have you every said or heard someone else say, “Just who does he think he is?”  This is usually uttered after an expression of arrogance or narcissism which belittled what we think we are.  It is actually a rhetorical question because he made it clear who he thinks he is. 

In our culture it can seek to raise a person up.  At school kids are always coming up to me and saying “Hey, Bro” or “How’s it going, Homey.”  As part of the game I adopt a disdaining look and tell them that is an insult coming from them since I am not their Bro or Homey.  I tell them that for them to call me Homey is like me going up to the ugliest girl on campus and saying, “Hi, beautiful.”  I am not their equal.  We are jokingly serious.  They are trying to claim equality, I am pointing out differences. 

Here the object is to maintain discipline.  Although I point out my position, in my heart I view them as fellow human beings who deserve courtesy and fair treatment. 

I don’t know about you but when I read this verse I see in myself not arrogance but insecurity.  I tend to avoid many situations because I don’t feel adequate.  Although I get along well with people I always worry about being shunned or ignored.  That is how I “think within myself.”  It is much better today than it used to be.  I am learning to not only see others as having worth.  I am doing much better at seeing myself as a child of God and trusting Him.

So although this verse is warning us about the arrogance of others, today it reminds me that I can have a security that comes from Jesus.  If you are feeling unworthy wrap your emotions around the understanding that the God of the Universe sent His son to demonstrate His love for us,

(Romans 5:8 KJV)  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

If he loved us that much before we were part of the family, think about how much He loves us now.