God has gifted us each with doing certain things well. And these gifts are best seen as a reflection of his divine nature. There’s no place for pride as if our excellence is due to our own great accomplishments; we’re simply embodying the glory God has given us to reveal and humbly playing the part he has given us to play. And in this way we serve as God’s representatives, with all the due nobility and honor warranted for such a position, but without an inflated ego.
For instance, a teacher might represent God’s wisdom, while a painter his creativity, and a particularly good-looking person his beauty. Each embodies God’s glory in his own unique way, and allows others to taste and see God’s goodness for themselves.
It’s tempting to turn such representations into idols, or for this attention to go to our heads when it’s directed toward us. On the one hand, we’re acknowledging something true and good, whether in others or ourselves. And there’s no need to deny this goodness. But we must not forget its true source.
Whatever power and ability we have to bless the lives of others is merely a reflection of God’s glory through us. And it’s ultimately this glory that we’re attracted to in others as well. While we’re free to acknowledge and celebrate this goodness, this is not to put others on a pedestal, or to assume that it’s about us. We are humble ambassadors and not the Sovereign.
It’s prideful to think more highly of ourselves than we ought. And it’s false humility when we deny the dignity and honor God has given us to be ministers of his glory.
In the end, it’s okay to acknowledge the good you see in yourself and others when you remember we’re simply God’s representatives. Our gifts are a reflection of his glory and not a point of pride to elevate ourselves.
Photo by Hannah Smith on Unsplash
