Sometime in mid-October, I was sitting in my Introduction to Anthropology class as my professor told our class pretty harshly that our accomplishments simply aren't ours. He condemned us for thinking that we were smart enough to get into UVa on our own, with our own hard work and our own intelligence. He radically changed my view on how I view my accomplishments.
They aren't mine. Not even in the slightest.
Though my professor is a self-proclaimed atheist, I learned so much through him about the Lord that day. It is so easy for me, and I am assuming everyone else in our individualistic, competitive culture, to focus on getting ahead - to make goals and then do everything in our power to achieve them. Then when we do, we feel a sense of internal accomplishment. As if we have done something good for ourselves.
My professor argued that we would not be the people we were at that moment sitting in that lecture hall without the tremendous influence and help from our families, teachers along the way, friends, and even acquaintances. We like to think we own our accomplishments, but in reality, we let them own us.
We even define ourselves through our accomplishments. Think about it - when you introduce yourself to someone, you usually state your occupation - whether it be student, attorney, teacher, etc. We define ourselves through what we believe we have single-handedly achieved. We glorify ourselves without being consciously aware of it.
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." -Colossians 3:17
Like I said earlier, my professor focused on the help we have experienced through family, friends etc. These are all important, don't get me wrong. What my professor missed on his list was the Lord.
Are we working for the Lord, or are we working for ourselves? Are we glorifying the Lord in our careers, relationships, and activities, or are we glorifying ourselves?
I definitely think this is worth thinking about, especially as we are about to enter a new year. It's not an easy question to answer, but it is essential that we answer it honestly.
Happy last Sunday of 2013!
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