I Bet You Think This Song is About You, Don’t You

Thoughts on foolishness and wisdom

There is a fine line between loving ourselves enough to thrive and loving too much that there is no room for others to love us back. We must moderate ourselves in this area, or someone may sing us the words to Justin Bieber’s song, Love Yourself.

’Cause if you like the way you look that much Oh, baby, you should go and love yourself

Being a know-it-all

Those who trust in their own wits are fools; but those who walk in wisdom come through safely. (Proverbs 28:26, NRV)

There were times in my life when I thought I was so bright. I was vocal and opinionated, thinking I was doing the world a favor by preaching my message. I was young and stupid. I’m glad the Lord knocked that somewhat out of my system as I grew older, making me slightly tempered. I’m still a work in progress.

Yet, some older people dig their feet in all the more aggressively. They may not have the energy to march in a protest rally, but get them in their easy chair in the living room, and everyone will know how they stand. They will emphatically ensure their stance vocally, and no one dares to poke the beast.

Selfish, selfish, selfish

Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility, think of others as better than yourselves. Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others. (Philippians 2:3–4, CEB)

Yes, I’m guilty of this one also. I have been selfish, done things to advance myself, and have thought myself better than the next guy. Ugh! I hate to admit this one. All I can do is ask for God’s forgiveness and forgiveness from anyone I injured.

Hopefully, I do not stand alone in this, although is it selfish to hope others are in the same selfish boat? I think so.

Thoughts on being vain

Charm and grace are deceptive, and [superficial] beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord [reverently worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect], she shall be praised. (Proverbs 31:30, AMP)

Carly E. Simon wrote a song titled, You’re So Vain. A couple of lines are like this:

You’re so vain (you’re so vain) I bet you think this song is about you Don’t you, don’t you?

Proverbs 31:30 singles out women, but men are just as guilty of being vain. The younger generation, with easy access to cameras through their phones, has created the selfie generation. On top of that, they can doctor their pictures to make them look like movie stars.

I was from an era with phones attached to the walls of our homes, no cell phones. That didn’t stop me from being vain or thinking that the world was only the size of my town and surrounding area.

The song was not about me.

Now that I am older, I realize I may not have been fully obsorbed in myself because I certainly didn’t appreciate the unwrinkled, taunt skin, slender body, toned muscles, and hair that would cooperate with my younger days. Being older has solved the problem of being too vain. Now, I try to make myself presentable to avoid grossing anyone out.

I have also learned that there is an entire world of people with hopes, dreams, sorrows, and yes, even gods that they fully embrace. Everyone has a story, and these stories shape lives and beliefs. Was I so young that I thought the song was about me? Although God loves me personally, His love is so vast that it spills out covering the world.

Don’t think too highly of yourself

Consider everyone as equal, and don’t think that you’re better than anyone else. Instead, associate with people who have no status. Don’t think that you’re so smart. (Romans 12:16, CEB)

Being a proclaimed Christian tends to put one up on the salvational pedestal. We say it is grace, but deep down, many feel slightly entitled. We are the seen-the-light, washed-in-the-blood, called, saved ones who rescue the perishing on sinking sand. Does that sound familiar?

We tend to look down on certain people and fear fully embracing them. Why? We could be more smart by changing our thinking to the mind of Christ. We are all made in the image of God, and Christ came into this world not to pass judgment but to give His loving humanity to all.

Summary

Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. (Proverbs 3:5–6, AMP)

I am guilty of all the above ugly attributes. I thought I was smart and stupid all at once. Is that possible? I have been selfish and giving, vain and humble, and a know-it-all and ignorant.

However, there is an advantage to getting older. God is still growing me spiritually. I see things and people differently. I also know that issues are not black and white, with two sides to everything. News on television is a case in point. Stories can be modified or told in part to appeal to their promoting agenda. In other words, we must not believe everything we hear and see.

It would be wise to take Proverbs 3:5–7 and put it to practice.

We must be careful because thinking we are superior, astute, cunning, and more attractive than anyone else can cause us to have negative characteristics. It makes us move from being humbly grateful to be a smart-aleck, know-it-all, stuck-up wise guy.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10, NIV)

Fear is not being scared of a mean, angry God but realizing that He is the one who holds all knowledge, and He is the one responsible for any beauty in this world. It is our first step in His ladder to wisdom when we submit to that.

I don’t know about you, but I am still climbing.