How Is Your Self-Image This Christmas?

Christians have an obligation to remind these people that God has always utilized flawed individuals to accomplish great tasks and that Jesus felt compassion for the poor, afflicted and outcast. He dined with tax collectors and sinners. Instead of memorizing sad songs, those with low self-esteem should restore their dignity by memorizing John 3:16.

On the other hand, for the past five decades I could have lied to myself about my comic book. I could try to bluff and bully a collector into accepting it as in “mint” condition, but my delusions would not change reality.

That’s my way of leading into this indisputable truth: some people have an inflated view of their value to God and man. “Humility” and “reverence” are not in their lexicon. They consider themselves to be self-sufficient, entitled and answerable to no man or deity.

If they stumble upon Jesus amidst the snowmen and candy canes, they pigeonhole Him as (a) a myth, (b) a good teacher but nothing else or (c) “okay, maybe the Son of God, but I’ve got a lot of wild oats to sow before I’ll have time to settle down and follow Him.”

I don’t find the phrase “Cruisin’ for a bruisin’” in the Bible, but the sentiment fits such people.

Certainly, I pray for world peace this Christmas. I pray for health and happiness for friends and family. But I also pray that those on the extremes of self-image will learn some moderation.

Neither arrogance nor despair are in the best interests of mankind.

Life is a balancing act. I take it by faith that humans are made in the image of God. But imperfections, interdependence and responsibility must all be considered.

Surprisingly few of life’s problems can be solved with a “POW!,” “BAM!” or “ZAP!”

Ah, but by developing a realistic assessment of your potential and your obligations, you can move mountains.

Go tell it on the mountain.

Danny Tyree welcomes email responses at tyreetyrades@aol.com and visits to his Facebook fan page “Tyree’s Tyrades.”