About Self-Importance
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven . . . ”
Warnings frequently fall on deaf ears. Life has a way of humbling us. Just when we put great emphasis on what we have achieved by our own power and intelligence, events may occur which destroy all in which we have taken pride. Nebuchadnezzar had barely uttered his hymn of self-praise before a voice pronounced his doom. His power and majesty, even his mind, were taken from him.
Dr. Seuss wrote about Yertle the Turtle who elevated himself to a position of importance by climbing on the backs of other turtles. Yertle learned from an insignificant turtle named Mack that nobody is so important as to be independent of others. We all need each other, and we all need God in order to achieve what we have been called to do. There are no “self-made” people.
This story from Daniel reminds us that repentance is needed before restoration can come. We do not always recognize how filled with self-importance we are. Nebuchadnezzar returned to his right mind when he understood that he was creature, not Creator. He recognized that whatever he had achieved was temporary. Only God’s rule is everlasting.
For Reflection: Think about three people who have made you what you are.
A Prayer Seed:
Ancient of Days, who sittest throned in glory,
To Thee all knees are bent, all voices pray;
Thy love has blessed the wide world’s wondrous story
With light and life since Eden’s dawning day.
William C. Doan, 1886
