Is There Hope For Me?
As humans, we go through various phases in our lives, times that, mostly when looking back, feel like they represented very different but significant elements of our existence. There usually comes a time where we start to question what the use of our presence on earth is. With the risk of sounding dramatic that I assure you is not taken lightly, many of us reach a point that feels like an existential crisis. We might not feel like our very existence might be compromised, but rather we might question the very essence of our existence in the first place.
As human beings reach adulthood, life suddenly becomes more real, and we are faced with the sudden realization that we might have to make something of ourselves. We feel like our existence has to mean something; otherwise, we're not doing it right. At this point, many of us decide to dedicate the rest of our lives to a certain passion or profession if we can do such things in the first place. We see the rest of our lives ahead of us, and we know that we have reached the point where we have to go down one path or the other.
A big factor to play in this crucial stage in our lives is the people in our peer group that we can compare our progress too. The people around us are a good gauge to measure our stance and positions; in fact, it’s the only thing that position is predicated upon. Unfortunately, a lot of times, comparing yourself to someone else or worse, a variety of people can be very discouraging.
The simple truth of life that many want to look away from is that beauty naturally shames the ugly by virtue of existing in close enough proximity that they both can be observed alongside each other. So likewise, the existence of a righteous man shames the wicked, whether it is intended or not; we can see this very clearly with Jesus, as he was a blameless man crucified by those who were put to shame by his very righteousness.
“This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge, and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.”
Acts 2:23
The very idea of Jesus himself is a great example of this; a perfect and blameless man who did not commit a single sin as long as he lived and was perfectly good and diligent in his duties. Yet, he is the ultimate judge of our human existence, shaming all those who do not strive to live up to him.
Comparing ourselves to one another is natural, but the question now becomes: is it good? Like I mentioned before, so many people get discouraged when we compare ourselves to other people, especially in a stage where we are expected to perform. And although this has been happening since the beginning of human existence, even noticeable in the story of Cane and Abel, it is at an all-time high in our current world of the internet age.
As we progress through life, we determine how much our progress is worth by looking at where other people are. This idea can be healthy as it pushes people to grow, and it is typically done within a peer group or community. But in today’s world, the entire world is our community. So now, instead of comparing your progress to weight loss to your friend down the street or in class, for example, we compare ourselves to the billions of people on the internet. No matter how good you actually are, if you are literally looking at the entire world for comparison, you will definitely see people that will make you feel like you’re not doing enough.
Now, this is not to say that the answer to the question posed earlier is a definite ‘no.’ Of course, comparing ourselves to other people can be a very toxic and harmful thing to us, but there is a reason why we do it in the first place that has merit. As we have already discussed, when we compare ourselves with perfection, our imperfections come to light. It is never a good idea to lie to ourselves so that we can feel better or hide from the truth because we know it will shatter our world. No one said the truth is a sweet pill to swallow, but we are still required to have the bravery to down it.
A lot of people say that we humans can never be Jesus, and to them, I say that they might have missed a big reason why Jesus came in the first place. Jesus was a human who faced temptations as a human and was tested as a human is tested, and yet he remained sinless and blameless. If there is any proof we need that it can be done, that is it in the literal flesh. Jesus is proof that we could be better, a challenge to us not settle for the level of righteousness we possess that the bible describes as a filthy rag before God.
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Isiah 64:6
The very meaning of Christianity is that we strive, to the very best of our abilities with the grace of God, to be like Christ. That task would not be possible if we did not compare ourselves to him. When we hold ourselves up to Christ, we might be shamed like Adam after learning of his nakedness, but we would not have the remorse and humility required to be better if we did not feel shame. Shame is such a dirty word, but not all feelings of shame are bad. I’m sure we can all think of things a human can do that we should probably be ashamed of.
The key is to not let our shame bury us but to rise above it and let it strengthen our resolve. Judas betrayed Jesus just as much as Peter did. Judas sold Jesus out for silver, and Peter, Jesus’ most trusted companion, denied him three times in his presence. The difference between these two men is that one of them let the shame that they felt from their betrayal consume them and eat them up, whereas the other accepted their shameful deed and was brave enough to strive on with a hotter fire for Jesus. One of them committed suicide, while the other went on to start God’s church. This is a great symbolism as we might ever possibly get. It also manages to convey to us that when faced with internal suffering, being strong and brave enough to keep fighting and keep moving forward is a more noble and Godly act than taking our own life: a bitter truth to swallow, but a truth all the same. There isn’t a better answer to the question ‘is there hope for me?’ than the parallel between Peter and Judas.
The solution cannot be to eliminate the good so that the worse can feel better. The idea that the world would be a better place if everyone were the same, or at least viewed exactly the same, and that no one was seen as better or worse is a tragedy. There would be nothing to propel us forward, especially on the individual level. In order to be a better tomorrow, we must first cast judgment on who we are today.
There are millions of youths in the world that feel useless and aimless. They do not have a trajectory, and they do not feel like they are doing enough. People tend to offer a solution to tell them that they are perfect just the way they are. If you really think about it, that can be more damaging than any other thing you could say. You’re telling someone who is miserable with themselves that they’re perfect the way they are? That the inadequacy they feel is as good as it is going to get? That’s murder! What do they do with that? Where do they go from there?
"Now, the tax collectors and sinners were all gatherings around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."
Luke 15:1-7
Jesus did not tell us that we were perfect, even though he himself was. Instead, he let us know quite bluntly that we were filthy sinners, and he was here to lead us the stray sheep back to the rest of the herd.
“What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying?”
Matthew 18:12
“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Luke 19:10
"I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken, and strengthen the sick, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with judgment.”
Ezekiel 34:16
In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus reminds us that he is here for those who have lost their way, for those who are unrighteous, for those who, more than others, pale in comparison to perfection. He goes on to use various other parables so that we understand even better and have no excuse to miss his point.
Jesus challenged us to go beyond who we are presently and strive to be like him, to be like God, to be perfect. This doesn't mean that we hang our heads and sulk when we do not attain perfection because we most likely won't. Instead, it means that we should be driven that there are even higher heights that we can climb.
While we journey through life, we might not be conscious of its effects, but they need to have purpose, which is the strongest life force we have in terms of living. Therefore, people throughout their lives strive to find some sort of purpose in their life, a reason to live.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Having a purpose is a very important thing, and God has promised that he has a purpose for us; we need only to strive to realize his purpose for us and live it out. But we might be tempted to get impatient. God has assured us that there is a time for everything, and his time is always best.
There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens:
A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
If you are looking for a way to further improve yourself, Best Self is a safe bet. Best Self is dedicated to helping people discover the best version of themselves, as we have discussed, we all should strive for. They want to inspire you to think bigger and go after your goals while also enjoying where you are today and appreciating your life.
It all began with their Self Journal and planner and has evolved into other products like Discovery Deck, Action Pads, and calendars which all contribute to the self-improvement process. They also offer a series of courses and challenges to help you learn even more.
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