Whenever we are faced with a situation that calls for us to respond with force or emphasis, it is not uncommon for us to act “bigger than we are.” Sometimes in our church gathering I will see a mother and son or mother and daughter standing next to each other and suddenly realize that the child is as big as or bigger than the parent. I might make a comment about that and it is funny watching them banty back and forth pretending they are taller than they are. They will stand on their toes, or straighten their backs or comment about the shoes the other might be wearing. It is a tremendous temptation to make ourselves appear bigger than we are. I once read the following story:
A newly promoted colonel who had moved into a recently built makeshift office during the Gulf War was getting things organized when out of the corner of his eye he saw a private coming his way, carrying a tool box.
Wanting to seem important, he quickly spun around and picked up his phone. “Yes, General Schwarzkopf, yes, yes, of course. I think that’s an excellent plan,” he said. “You’ve got my support on it. Thanks for checking with me. Let’s touch base again soon, Norm. Goodbye.” And he briskly hung up and turned around.
“And what can I do for you?” he asked the private? “Ahh, I’m just here to hook up your phone,” came the sheepish reply.
Ever been there? Ever tried to make yourself look bigger than you really are? I have and often find myself eating crow. It doesn’t look good and tastes even nastier going down. We do that for various reasons. I know I have done it to cover insecurity. Sometimes to look smarter than I am. Sometimes to look better prepared than I really am. What I do need to remember is that I am only fooling myself.
So…let me ask you. Have you ever tried to act bigger than you are? Why did you do it? What was the result and what did you learn? I would like to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to comment.
As someone who struggled with Self esteem issues when I was younger – I can say I have done it way too many times. There are still times I fall into the trap but to be honest it is not often at all (unless I am talking fishing 🙂 ). It always had me feeling lower than before. But Praise be to God that even those times when I find myself in that situation that He loves me.
Fishing? Is that one of those “I caught one thi-i-i-i-i-i-s bog” times? 😛 You hit on something Jim-feeling lower than you did before. Fortunately, God’s love is always stable.
Love that story! Seems to me every time I start thinking too highly of myself God has a way of humbling me real quick. My son is now 15 so the whole measuring up thing goes on here daily. I keep asking myself what kind of depth am I revealing to him instead of heigth…that brings me back to earth many times as I am not proud…
Tom: yep, God has a way of doing that doesn’t He? I can see the contest now but i do like your real concern- depth not height. Thanks for the comment.
Wow – that is a funny anecdote! I remember when I was younger walking through the junior high school halls puffing up my chest and stretching my height. But that was just for survival!
Herb: I had the height but not the chest. 🙂
Well, sometimes I will think I’m bigger than I am in my own home when a neighbor annoys me with their cats that roam freely into my flowers or if I have all my kids over on one day and my driveway is full of cars, that makes me feel big & important then God will reign me back in and I try to be very humble about my surroundings….but I really haven’t acted bigger than I am in a public, crowd situation because I don’t like being the center of attention & do not have enough self esteem to actually think I’m bigger than I am around other people. As you know, self esteem is a big thing I continually have to work on…..but I am reminded that I am just an unworthy sinner for whom God sent His only son to shed His blood for, so that I may have eternal life someday. I just have to try to live my little life for Him.
Good story, it gave me a chuckle. Thanks Bill.
Jan: God has a good way of reminding us who we are. Glad you know how much He loves you.
Hi Bill,
There are some humorous comments here in this blog topic. Like fishing and survival 🙂
I think that I am getting a lesson from the Holy Spirit over the last month or so on this topic of thinking of ourselves greater than we ought to.
What occured this week was that I took part in an event that the college library and the philosophy department in this college co-joins and hosts discussion topics for students and the public once a month. Somehow I provoked some discussion among the participants in this gathering that was still happening yesterday in the library (Sunday). I spoke about my religious views on the topic of ‘where do we come from’ based on the Bible. There also was a young Pastor at the discussion who is pastoring a Lutheran church in the city.
I thought of John Wesley’s sermon that was so convicting for many people during a time of revival. I’ve heard that the sermon itself was nothing really significant to cause that type of response from the people. The Holy Spirit took Wesley’s words from his mouth during that famous sermon and greatly impacted people with them. It was not the specific words of John Weseley that made the impact, it was the Holy Spirit taking these words and doing His work (work that only He can do) in the hearts of people.
That’s why the Bible says we cannot boast. Without the Holy Spirit our words will not impact people in this way.
We have to realize that we plant,we water,and the Holy Spirit harvests and we gather in the harvest as workers not the owners.
Linda: it is not us nor is it about us. It is about Him. He brings the harvest.
Love that story. I too have eaten plenty of crow with humble pie for dessert. Come to think of it, maybe the humble pie is made with crow too. Either way, great post, Bill. Thanks.
Jason: I forgot the humble pie for dessert. Good addition. 🙂 Thanks for coming by.
Bwahahaaaaa! I’m surprised you didn’t used a story about a pastor doing that? 😛
What is that with crow? And what is a humble pie for dessert?
Ani: pastors don’t do those kinds of things! 😛 When someone eats crow it means they have said or done something that was foolish and they got caught and were embarrassed. Eating humble pie is having to “eat” your words because of your foolishness and arrogance.
Oh than I have eaten crow a lot and many many times. And eating humble pie? Isn’t this the same as eating crow? If you eat crow you must eat humble pie afterwards. Really this conversation is getting clearer and clearer! 😛
Okay, I’m small I don’t need to act bigger because that is just not possible in a country of tall people! Okay, I know you didn’t mean it this way.
I did try to look bigger than I am, I would be lying if I haven’t. But I haven’t done it many times but the times I did I felt stupid afterwards. That is why I think people should just accept me the way I am. If they have a problem well that’s just it: THEY have a problem. Okay, that was it for me today. I only want to add that I started a new prayerlist and added you and your family and church to it. Bye bye.
Ani: Sometimes I forget about the language thing. Glad you understand more. I do agree that people should accept you as you are. It is their problem if they don’t. And thank you so much for adding me to your prayer list. I am honored you would do that. You are on mine. 🙂
Today I tried to say something really witty on facebook to one of my friends and then later I read it and it made no sense. In fact, it made me look really stupid. And yeah, I had to eat crow because about 5 other people read it and were like “what the heck?” So whatever. I chalked it up to be Monday, but really I’m just an idiot. Sigh. Usually I try not to look bigger than I am, but sometimes we feel insecure and say stupid stuff and just end up looking worse than we did before.
I think we have all been there Michelle in speaking or writing something that had people going “what?” Your last sentence sums up the consequences of trying to look bigger than we are.