Standard of Living
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29
Driving past a billboard at 55 mph I glimpsed a headline. Now, I may be wrong but what I think I saw was a headline that read, “Top Dentist Under 40.”
So, of all the inexperienced dentists, this one is the best? Thanks, I’ll find an older one.
I do understand that if this dentist is in his thirties he may have plenty of experience. But it made me laugh at the way this is worded.
This man wanted to put up a sign to say that he was the best at what he does. It looks to me like he just narrowed the group until he came out on top. I guess this is what advertising is all about.
This man has not sinned by claiming to be the top dentist under 40 (unless it is a lie). Still, it reminds me of the many ways that we use in our own lives to make ourselves look better. I mentioned last week that my husband is amused when I tell him what a good husband he is after I’ve heard from a woman whose husband abuses her. He hears no compliment in my faint praise.
But we do this to/for ourselves, too. When my kids were little I was happy if they were well behaved in public. It also felt good when someone else noticed or compared them to some naughty children. If my standard for raising good kids was the parents of a poorly raised child – I looked good in comparison.
Comparison seems to be a game that (especially) women like to play. We do it with our children, our marriages, our weight, our level of income, our gardens, and sometimes even spirituality. Our standard is that we want to be one-step in front of the other person. Know more, earn more, have more, and have kids who do more or are better at what they do than others. It is a stressful game.
The scriptures give us a different standard. Though it is a higher standard it is a less stressful standard. Romans 8:29 says, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”
Every Christian is to strive to be conformed to the image of Christ. HE is our standard. The reason this is easier than an earthly standard is because God has promised that He will provide for those who trust Him, that He will give us the desires of our heart when we delight in Him. Psalm 40:4 says, Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!
When we set our standard of behavior by what those who only want worldly pleasures have, we are going astray after a lie. Isn’t it prideful to think that there is a standard better or more valuable to chase than the one God has set for us?
What is our dentist’s standard? I am not sure whether he wants to be top dentist in number of patients, most successful treatments, income, or what. God has only One standard.