I Am NOT Just a Number

We all remember the story of the "Emperor's New Clothes" when two "sweet talkers" convinced a monarch that he could parade the town in an "invisible" suit that stupid people would be unable to see. The Monarch loved the idea and paraded through town wearing nothing. The people of the town all pretended to see the "invisible suit" for fear of looking ignorant, but it was a child that pointed out the obvious and brought the monarch to shame... with the words "He's wearing nothing at all"... Sometimes, we too, "clothe" ourselves with so much pride...we may feel inadequate but put on an "invisible suit" for others to admire.. the truth is.. like the monarch.. we are naked... empty... alone... and have fallen for the "Ultimate Sweet Talker Satan" who tells us we deserve the best.. we are better than others. and that we are more deserving.. more loyal.. and so on... This only leads to bitterness and shame...

"Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice". (Proverbs 13:10) In the information age, it is almost implied that we all be "in-the-know" about everything. Knowledge is power right? and if we don't know something, than we may be viewed as slow or inept... and so.. in the process of learning.. we are many times ostracized by the "all-knowing" teacher... If we cut out all the crap.. the truth is sometimes knowledge is saturated in pride... We want the credit... we fight for first chair... the best seat in the house..the best score... but.. we forget that the first shall be last and the last shall be first.. but when does that happen? Well... this happens in heaven.. are we willing to be servants on earth to be leaders in heaven? because as our "good deeds" don't get us into to heaven, they certainly determine what our "rank" will be when we get there... Many people believe as I did for a lo...