A young person has come to my place of employment with talents and abilities that seem superior to almost everyone else on staff. This is cause of fear and assorted grief among many of our staff who feel like she is making them look bad. I have no feelings of inadequacy around her, and I don’t think it has anything to do with the fact that I only have indirect dealings with her. I think it has everything to do with knowing who I am in Christ.

Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! -Isaiah 5:21 (KJV) People tell me she can be arrogant. I hope not. She seems to me to be a bright, pleasant young person with good ideas in some areas where they are sorely needed. My experience in life is that arrogant, conceited people are something to be pitied, not envied or scorned.

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. -Proverbs 28:26 (KJV) It is unfortunate how people of this world look down on others while they themselves rocket toward Hell in disbelief of God and reliance solely on themselves. I fear that they are in for an eternally rude awakening. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. -Proverbs 26:12 (KJV) The accomplishments of even the “greats of history” are fleeting and often soon forgotten. They certainly don’t afford anyone immortality. Eventually, people of great achievements, such as Abraham Lincoln or George Washington, will be forgotten as memory fades through the passage of time and stories are no longer told. Anything we acquire or accomplish on Earth, save witnessing for Christ to the lost and loving our brothers and sisters, is of no eternal consequence. Only our decision for Christ and our role in being used by God to reach others accomplishes anything lasting.

So know who you are in Christ and place your confidence in Him! But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. -2 Corinthians 10:17-18 (KJV)