Real World Issues

Self-Esteem

A story came across my desk recently. It told the story of an incident that occurred during the Special Olympics in Seattle a few years ago. Nine young people, all with some form of mental or physical disability, assembled together at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. Each dreamed of victory, of glory, of winning a medal, of having their name in lights. At the sound of the gun, they started running, not exactly in a dash, but running as best as they could. Except for one. A young boy had tripped and fallen, and began to cry. Hearing his cries, the other eight stopped running, turned around, came back and gathered around him. One little girl with Down's Syndrome hugged him and kissed him on the cheek, "This will make it better," she said. As the spectators in the stadium began to stand and cheer, all nine got up, linked arms, and walked all the way to the finish line. They ALL finished as winners.

The apostle Paul exhorted the church at Philippi, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others" (Philippians 2:3-4). In this world, we are raised from a child to "look out for ourselves; look out for number one." But, when we become Christians, we are supposed to act in the opposite manner, and we tend to find this difficult. "Humble yourselves," we are commanded. "Be clothed with humility..... Turn the other cheek.... Humble yourselves as a little child..... Humility and fear of the Lord are riches and honor..... He that humbles himself shall be exalted..... God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.....The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit is in the sight of God of great price.... Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth..... Learn of me," Jesus said, "for I am meek and lowly in heart."

Modern society teaches us to put our selves first. Seek our own goals, live our own lives. Andwhile you are at it, dress this way, talk this way, live this way -- so you will be cool like everyone else. But on and on the Bible exhorts us to be humble, to not lift ourselves up. Romans chapter 12 says we should not think of ourselves more highly than we ought. A meek and quiet spirit, and a humble heart are precious in God's eyes, but viewed as weakness by society. We are many members, but one body. When one member hurts, the whole body should hurt. When one member rejoices, the whole body should rejoice.

When a member falls, we should go to them and help them to their feet. We should encourage them and pray for them. Arm in arm, we should help each other "press toward the mark," for it is important, not just that we win, but that we help others win along the way. The greatest exercise is bending down and lifting someone else up. The young people in the Special Olympics did not think of themselves. They did not think of the momentary glory they would receive for winning the race. They thought, instead, of their friend who had fallen.

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