Is it just me? I highly doubt it.
I can’t ever envision looking in the mirror and saying anything like, “That’s one handsome human.” It would be equally strange to imagine uttering something like, “I sure am wonderful.” Or, “I’m morally superior to all those folks around me.”
That said, I would say something like, “Looking at the majority of those with whom I am familiar, I’m morally superior and substantially more intelligent.”
You might think I’m big-headed for asserting such.
What you need to understand is this. My morality and intelligence are pretty low on any reasonable yardstick.
What I’ve just put forth is a matter of terrible sadness.
To begin with, I’m pointing out my horrible weakness where both my moral fortitude, and collected knowledge (not forgetting, aptitude and mental horsepower) are concerned.
What’s even more dismal though, is how many people fail to measure to even my meagerly low “standard” where any of the above is or are concerned.
I tell you now, were I to stand before the Almighty God, I would absolutely need to plead the “covering of the Blood of” Jesus called Christ. The point being, I’m so below the mark, as to need Grace above all.
If that’s the case for me, what does it say for those not at or above “my level?”
Seemingly off topic; did you ever wonder why the Biblical prophets ran about, issuing dire warnings to those around and about themselves?
Was it because they felt themselves morally superior? Did they enjoy being outsiders? Were they enamored of folks berating, abasing, attacking, or potentially even dispatching them?
You can be pretty certain none of my stated questions can be answered in the affirmative.
Rather—whether as a matter of God putting them in such a place or not—they likely recognized they were obliged to bring forward the dire messages they uttered. It’s even been argued many had what amounted to a “burning fire in their bellies” that all but forced them to act in the way they did.
Though I can’t really make the same assertion, I can tell you I feel as if society is rapidly falling off a “moral cliff.”
There are those making the case that young people are moving towards more reasonable and correct positions.
One such supposed push toward greater accountability and rectitude is the tendency on the part of youth to move in the direction of older church models (like traditional Catholicism).
Where I’m not arguing against such things—I suppose they’re better than nothing—nonetheless, I count them to be but a modest improvement in direction.
I’m not so “black-pilled” (for fogies like myself “convinced things can’t get better”) to assume things cannot move along more positive vectors.
At the present moment though, I do not see that being the way of things (at least on any substantive basis).
You may count that the primary cause of this little rant.
Just as with the prophets of old—though you may be sure I count myself nothing like as noble or even pure as were they—I feel the absolute need to “call people out” in this moment.
I look at my present—even if I choose to ignore my none-too-wonderful past—and realize I’m nothing remotely worthy of praise in either my intelligence, or my righteousness (and by extension godliness, or example for fellow Christians or outsiders).
It’s because this is the case that I rue the fact that I find myself very near the “top of the heap” where these things are concerned.
You need to know, I constantly remind those in my charge (at this point, there is but one), they need to work towards bettering themselves.
The old saw that, “As I point to others, three fingers are directed towards myself.” Is absolutely true.
If you’re confused, my point is, I want to be a person who constantly seeks to improve in all good, meaningful ways.
The fact that I see myself so very far “ahead of” so many others, is no excuse for even staying where I currently find myself, much less, “falling down” in any meaningfully reasonable or beneficial sense.
Frankly, I would argue the contrary. Just as I say to those over whom I “say grace” they need to continue to improve, if for no other reason than self-benefit, so I count things to be for myself as well.
I have no illusion where my failures are concerned. It matters not how many are above or below my current status.
I say this to remove doubt as to why I would place so many in status “below” my own.
Instead of trying to put forth the idea that I’m some wonderful exemplar, I want to point out that as unseemly as I find myself to be, there are so very many more in less acceptable places than mine.
That’s a terribly unfortunate thing!
Bad enough that my “place on the measuring stick” is so low. Imagine—assuming my position to be reasonable (and I think it is)—the idea so large a number are not even at my ridiculously low level. This astonishes me.
What’s my thrust?
If you’re not seeking to improve your status on at least the “morality scale,” I would have to ask a simple question. “Why not?”
Do you believe your lot is one of hopelessness? Do you honestly count yourself in a place where you can “never be redeemed?”
Where I’m not the One Who makes that decision, I very much doubt it’s the case.
Many familiar with the Biblical texts know the story (at least in a cursory way) of one Saul of Tarsus.
Initially, Saul was considered an “upright Jew.”
In the course of time, he began to be a party to the execution of Christians (former Jews, or one might say “completed” or “fulfilled” ones). Mostly, his involvement was to stand by “holding outer garments” of those who stoned such to death.
The argument is, on the ”road to Damascus,” Saul met with “someone” (generally argued to be the resurrected Jesus) who temporarily took his sight.
It was this situation that caused him to change his name to Paul, and become a confirmed apostle of Jesus, regaining his vision in the process.
The point of the story is this. Even the seemingly unlikeliest of individuals can be brought to a place of redemption.
Unless God Himself tells you you’re beyond His reach. I firmly suggest you ignore those who do.
I’ll leave things there.
Here’s hoping (and praying) you’re well, healthy, and happy. If not, I pray it will soon be true.