I've been thinking lately about the need we all have to prove ourselves. Some people probably feel the need to prove themselves more than others. Some hardly at all...and some are driven to prove something...anything, to anyone who will notice them.
What do you want to prove and who do you want to prove it to?
Do you want to prove that you're -
smarter?
prettier?
more fashion conscious?
more capable?
more spiritual?
hip, cool, enlightened?
more hard working?
more talented?
thinner?
one who conforms?
a non-conformist?
athletic?
gifted?
creative?
in shape physically?
in shape emotionally?
in shape socially?
in shape intellectually?
in shape spiritually?
sophisticated?
well-known?
well-read?
well-spoken?
well-connected?
Or, do you want to prove that you have
more material stuff?
a better job?
more recognition in your field?
talent in a certain area?
a better family?
a better life?
more self-control?
a better, bigger home?
a better-decorated home?
And who do you want to prove those things to?
Yourself?
Your spouse?
A friend?
A family member?
Your children?
The neighbors?
Extended family?
Business associates?
Anyone who will take notice and give you praise?
Strangers?
God?
And why do you want to prove those things?
To feel better about yourself?
To feel more worthy of affection?
To show that you can do something?
To feel better than other people?
To show off your stuff or skills to be noticed and congratulated?
What are the motives that make us want to prove ourselves?
Is it to receive the accolades of men?
Is it to receive the approval of God?
Is it to just feel good about ourselves and to justify our existence?
It seems to me that the need to prove oneself is human. The motives run the gamut of human feelings. I wonder if the greatest sense of accomplishment comes from getting to the point where we are just trying to overcome our own selfish desires and prove to God that we can bend our will to His and demonstrate our utter dependence on Him. It seems like that is really all that matters in proving anything.
3 comments:
I can't help myself from thinking that people's Christmas rants/letters are just for that purpose. To prove how great one's family is, what jobs are held by who and what grade point average, school recognition, degree titles, et al. I yearn for the 'good old days' when people could only communicate with their voice!!!
Great post, Vonnie. I think that most of us do want to "prove ourselves," and I think that, generally, it's not for the best of reasons. You're right - the only real, worthwhile "proving" of ourselves is to God. To paraphrase the scripture, men are to "prove themselves" and see if they will be compliant to Him and His will. Thanks for the post.
The prior post, by the way, was from me, VFR, and not from Vonnie.
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