"Because" Wasn't Enough

   Picture yourself in a school cafeteria.  Not just any school cafeteria, but
your own that you attended as a kid for lunch.  You have your jocks, your
stoners, your nerds, your prom queen material.. all varied types of people
(or so we were led to believe).. all seated at different tables.  They talk
about relatively different things.. all because of who their society (the
people around them) have labelled them to be, and expect them to become.  But
one thing they all share.. is a defining characteristic that no human can do
without -- a self-image.  But where does it come from?  Or more properly
asked, does it come from where it should?
   Interesting question, don't you think?  I mean.. let's visit each table in
turn.. and see if we can come up with any similarities.  Jocks..?  Well..
that's simple.  It comes from their ability in sports!  Though this usually
stems also from simple physical development that is beyond that of most people
around them.  They happen to possess skills that enable them to jump higher,
run faster, and physically manipulate spheres, poles, and vitamin-shaped balls
in ways that most people can only hope to.  And this.. coupled with our
society's high valuing of sports achievement, generally lands such people (at
least for guys, but moreso now than in the past for girls) in high echelons of
society.. people who earn great approval.. and greater bucks.
   Stoners?  That one's easy enough.  It generally comes from being viewed as
"cool" by those around them.  The high ranks of those who hang out in such
groups are those who know how to have a real good time.. and how to do it
cheap.  These people like to relax.. take life easy.. and just hang out.. not
worrying about what life may bring.. but.. enjoy what's in front of them.
   Nerds?  This one's easy too.  These people tend to grab their self-image
from their mental abilities.. and not so much their physical prowess or looks.
They usually couldn't net a prom-queen with a couple grand bribe.  These
bell-curve blowers may not land a lot of approval by many in school.. but when
it comes to colleges looking to pour out scholarship money, they are often
awarded some rather nice stipends.  Plus.. in the business world.. since it's
usually brains that keep things running.. not brawn.. they tend to excel
greatly.
   Ok.. last but not least.. the Queenies?  They often grab their self-image
from their good looks.. their riches.. and their ability to loop guys around
their little finger.. all because of the aforementioned other two.  Girls who
fall into this category are often the ones who have never seen a clear
calendar since the 6th grade.. (if not before).. as their affluent looks or
funding keep others coming into their lives.. beating on their door for
dates.. and so and such.
   So.. we have a basic beginning answer to the question of self-image.. but..
let's go a little deeper.  Jocks..?  Why is it they value such a self-image?
I mean.. what about this self-image makes it so important?  Simply put.. it's
their ability to sway many.. and gain approval and security.  Stoners?
Again.. whoa.. same thing eh?  Swaying those 'beneath'.. gaining approval of
those who are around them.. and security.  Hmmm.. Nerds?  I think we're onto
something.. yup.. swaying others into giving them power and security.. and
approval in realms they fit in.  And once again.. Queenies?  Approval..
security.. and swaying others yet again!
   I think we're onto something here.  Self-image.. though pursued in
different fashion for each "type" of person.. seems to be focussed on 3
things.. at least.. in this context:  approval -- that is.. having those
around you whom you value give you acclaim of sorts, swaying others -- power
to get others to do what you want them to do.., and security -- both financial
and otherwise.. finding a place where you belong and where you won't easily be
shaken out of.  But is this all there is?  Is this the best way to get a
self-image for oneself?
   Mental ability.. physical prowess.. good looks.. and social relation.. are
all valid characteristics that we all have to some degree.  But.. let's look
at our school.  You'd think that.. with everyone having their own set of
abilities and strengths.. that everyone would be valued equally.. right?  But
this just isn't the case.  In our society.. people who have the ability to
sway the most.. control the most.. move the most.. and bring the most
security.. are often viewed as the "best" in life.  I.e... it's all about
having the most ability... and using it to accomplish the means that most
people desire -- whether power (which wealth is included under) or pleasure
(or prevention of loss of such pleasure, which is security).  It's all about..
what brings home the bacon.. and what keeps it there.
   For me.. I've noticed something.  That even if I have a lot of popular
sway.. or have a lot of physical or mental ability.. or even have good looks..
these things do not make me any happier.  They may enable me to do things that
others cannot.. but.. when it comes right down to it.. having something that I
was simply gifted with.. or even have honed awhile.. doesn't truly bring me
any lasting happiness.  Pleasure.. whizzbang..?  yes.  Happiness..?  no.  All
the things and abilities and such that I possess.. do not make me one ounce
happier than I am when I'm only lost in a crowd where they don't matter.  What
matters most..?  What truly does make me happy?
   That's a good question.  I know that.. being happy isn't something that we
really can achieve of our own strength -- unlike the U.S. Declaration of
Independence seems to say we can do... that somehow.. if the government
enables someone to, they can pursue happiness and find it.  I mean.. if we
need a good government to truly be happy... then many people are simply S.O.L.
in this world.. eh?  Thank God it's not true.
   Yes... thank God.  You see.. when it comes to being happy.. there's only
one thing that really matters.. and that's the truth of one's value.
Self-image cannot be based in mere attempts to see oneself as valuable..
but... in one's actual value.  And the only real person who can truly and
perfectly define what is valuable and what isn't.. is the One who created it
all in the first place! :)
   You see.. like I said in the title of this essay.. "Because" simply wasn't
enough.  I couldn't see myself as valuable just *because* I had talents.. or
good looks.. or what have you.  Cuz even though I had these things.. I still
felt very sub-human.. and was hurting inside nearly constantly.  This simply
didn't work.  I needed something deeper.. something that would be.. like any
truly good house.. founded in bedrock.  And since God founded our world.. I
needed to found my self-image in *His* opinions.. His ideas... or more
correctly.. *THE TRUTH!*.
   So.. how do I see myself?  I'm still not sure how I should.. but.. I know
this much.. God wouldn't have sent Jesus to die for me.. if He didn't truly
love me.  In fact.. the Bible says.. in its most quoted passage.. "For God so
loved the *WORLD* that He gave His only begotten Son...."  That's right.. God
loves us all.  And that's where we start finding our value.. in His love for
us!  Oh.. many people don't like that idea.. why?  Cuz it means that they
can't be above others anymore.  They can't unrighteously rule over others in
their self-image.. with their abilities.. prowess.. good looks.. etc.  For all
men are truly equal in some ways when it comes to God's opinion.
   But not all ways.  See.. God views one thing very important.. above all
others -- faith.  That is.. belief in His existence and trust in His love.
Those who refuse to do those two things are truly estranged from so so many
blessings.  I oughta know.. I've been so at war within myself.. all because
God lived in me.. and yet I didn't want to believe He loved me.  I had so many
problems acknowledging it.. cuz of how much pain I've been through.. and how
much sin I've done.. and I just thought I'd gone too far.. or that I was
somehow destined by God to fail.  But the Bible is clear.. both Peter and Paul
say that God desires all people to be saved from sin.. and to live with Him
forever.  There is no one who gets into Heaven on their good looks.. physical
prowess.. mental ability.. or social relating ability.  The *ONLY* way that a
person finds real peace and can enjoy eternity.. is in *FIRST* acknowledging
God and Jesus for Who They truly Are.. and then trusting Them to take care of
him/her totally.  Then.. out of that trust.. will naturally come obedient love
unto Him.  But.. our abilities.. our giftings.. the things we were born with
and things we have built up.. cannot earn eternity... It is only through trust
in God at His Word.. and thereby loving Him back.. that one can truly enjoy
the blessings and peace of mind that our self-image is supposed to bring.
   You see.. for many things.. self-image included.. "Because" simply isn't
enough.  If that "because" isn't founded in truth... in God's "opinion".. then
it truly isn't worth the air it's said through, paper it's written on, or
pixels it's emblazoned through.  It's only when we come into agreement with
God's "Opinion".. that we truly find the peace of mind that we truly need to
live in this world.. and know the abundant life that Jesus desires us to have.