Creating a New Self-Image
In considering your “Must Do List” consider the example of John the Baptist who had his list in order. Crowds were flocking to him to be baptized. Suddenly his crowds got smaller. Nearby crowds were flocking to Jesus, John’s curiosity came to him to talk about it. John the Baptist said: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3: 30).
That is a short, but all encompassing list. The result is Thy way, not my way. John knew his role and was content to perform it well. We each have a role that is not comparable to that of anyone else’s role. There is contentment in such a resolution.
Most of us play one of three roles: You are, I wish, and I am.
We grow up with people often saying of us “You are” followed by such opinions as smart, dumb, good looking, ugly, mean, polite and the list of variables goes on. We tend to believe what they are saying about us and tend to play the prescribed role.
Soon we look around and start playing “I wish.” This game involves us looking around at others and comparing yourself to them. “I wish I was as smart as, as good looking as, fast as, rich as,” and the beat goes on. Consequently contentment is forfeited.
The third game is “I am….” It may be a good wholesome spiritual image. If it isn’t you can change. Rather I should say you can be changed. It can be done only by applying the transforming power of Jesus Christ to our sinful behavior and negative emotions. Such is a “me” centered person. If so, aspire to fulfill the John the Baptist model: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” It becomes a “Thy will be done” world, and I am a child of the King of the world. Having established who you really want to be, commit yourself to prayerfully daily recommit yourself to that image. Studying Scripture, listening to the right music, reading the right material, associating with people who build you up spiritually, and praying. Develop your own way of reminding yourself who you are, ie, “I am a child of the King.” You might rephrase that byword, but regardless repeat it to yourself daily or perhaps more than once a day. By doing so you are affirming who you are. This helps your habits to be less self-consuming the more you pursue Christ.
Say, “I AM….” Thereafter as you seek to live by your new self-image life becomes based on faith rather than feelings.
You will encounter no person who will be a greater hindrance to living according to your new self-image than yourself.
If you fail at a point don’t give up, get up. Let failure itself be a support of your future faith. Go ahead and say it again, “I AM….”