Monday, May 30, 2011

The Best Me

1 Kings 4:33
“He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish.”

Nature vs Nurture? Who’s really responsible for who we are now? Physically, science has proven heredity. Health issues point both. But how about personality or attitudes? My dad blames my mom for my nose and hair, haha! I grew up hearing that and so I resented the idea. Add to that the society’s high regard for fine features and photoshopped hair. What started as genetics affected the emotions and became an attitude. As a solution, some have resorted to genetic alterations, which I believe is but an insult to our Creator.  I chose A.I. - - acceptance and improvement.  I praise Him for who I am and I will glorify Him by working on being the best me, that is, by taking care of my body and by taking control of my attitudes. Now that’s being responsible.

Solomon, by virtue of bloodline, inherited not just the throne but reaped the harvest of his father’s hardwork. Most of his chief officials were and sons of David’s trusted men. His rule extended beyond Dan to Beersheba, all enjoying peace and plenty, mainly as a result of his predecessor’s conquests. The path to righteousness was laid before him and God’s favor continued to overflow all in light of David’s faithful walk and upright heart. Solomon witnessed it all, and if ever those genes really worked, both nurture and nature paid off. But chapter 4 presents us with a  rule  beyond raw. Sure Solomon had the loyalty of David’s men, but he worked on his share of the relationship as proven by the two marriages of his daughters to his governors. David may have left him a structure for government, but here we see a systematized one. It may already be all peace and plenty, but not just as an overview. Solomon made sure it was felt at every home.  Every raw gift was cultivated ‘til it grew. Even the wisdom God gave Him was never stagnant in his yard. The text said ‘he taught’. Every teacher knows the hardwork it entails to move from being a learner to becoming a teacher. And learning never stops. Solomon did his fair share. He glorified God by being the best him.


I so love the principle behind the Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty. Theirs is to celebrate the natural physical variation embodied by all women and inspire them to have the confidence to be comfortable with themselves.  God has given each one a beauty, a talent, a skill. Blaming nature and nurture for the limitations which could have instead turned us to becoming great springs up from looking at another’s fence instead of discovering our own. God was not unfair, we are. All we do is stargaze in our dark holes of self pity and hopelessness which was neither given nor acquired. We allowed it to control us. Be free! Truth says we are wonderfully made! We’re created in the image of God Himself. We may be marred because of sin, but His grace can transform us back into the likeness of His Son. A gift that we have to accept in faith, and in gratitude and obedience we have to faithfully cultivate. Are you up and ready for today's question - - who is the best you?
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

The Best Me

1 Kings 4:33
“He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish.”

Nature vs Nurture? Who’s really responsible for who we are now? Physically, science has proven heredity. Health issues point both. But how about personality or attitudes? My dad blames my mom for my nose and hair, haha! I grew up hearing that and so I resented the idea. Add to that the society’s high regard for fine features and photoshopped hair. What started as genetics affected the emotions and became an attitude. As a solution, some have resorted to genetic alterations, which I believe is but an insult to our Creator.  I chose A.I. - - acceptance and improvement.  I praise Him for who I am and I will glorify Him by working on being the best me, that is, by taking care of my body and by taking control of my attitudes. Now that’s being responsible.

Solomon, by virtue of bloodline, inherited not just the throne but reaped the harvest of his father’s hardwork. Most of his chief officials were and sons of David’s trusted men. His rule extended beyond Dan to Beersheba, all enjoying peace and plenty, mainly as a result of his predecessor’s conquests. The path to righteousness was laid before him and God’s favor continued to overflow all in light of David’s faithful walk and upright heart. Solomon witnessed it all, and if ever those genes really worked, both nurture and nature paid off. But chapter 4 presents us with a  rule  beyond raw. Sure Solomon had the loyalty of David’s men, but he worked on his share of the relationship as proven by the two marriages of his daughters to his governors. David may have left him a structure for government, but here we see a systematized one. It may already be all peace and plenty, but not just as an overview. Solomon made sure it was felt at every home.  Every raw gift was cultivated ‘til it grew. Even the wisdom God gave Him was never stagnant in his yard. The text said ‘he taught’. Every teacher knows the hardwork it entails to move from being a learner to becoming a teacher. And learning never stops. Solomon did his fair share. He glorified God by being the best him.


I so love the principle behind the Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty. Theirs is to celebrate the natural physical variation embodied by all women and inspire them to have the confidence to be comfortable with themselves.  God has given each one a beauty, a talent, a skill. Blaming nature and nurture for the limitations which could have instead turned us to becoming great springs up from looking at another’s fence instead of discovering our own. God was not unfair, we are. All we do is stargaze in our dark holes of self pity and hopelessness which was neither given nor acquired. We allowed it to control us. Be free! Truth says we are wonderfully made! We’re created in the image of God Himself. We may be marred because of sin, but His grace can transform us back into the likeness of His Son. A gift that we have to accept in faith, and in gratitude and obedience we have to faithfully cultivate. Are you up and ready for today's question - - who is the best you?