You are an iceberg

How would you define yourself?

If you had to introduce yourself to someone in 25 words or less, what would you say? Would you talk about your age, your achievements, your interests, your hobbies, or your nationality?

In our performance-driven society, people are very interested in status – the titles we have and positions we hold. “I am a Student”, “a Teacher”, “an Olympian”, “a Musician”, “the Boss.”

As a result, we focus our efforts on striving for higher status. And we can be tempted to think this is what defines us.

But of far greater importance than our status (how the world views us) is our substance (how God views us).

It’s a bit like an ice-berg. What is seen above the water represents our status. What lies beneath the water (around 90% of an ice-berg) represents our substance, forming the greater part of who we are (what is seen by God).

What is under the surface?

What exactly does God desire to see within us? What substance?

This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. (Isaiah 66:2b)

God does not esteem people with titles, trophies or talents. God esteems people who are prepared to submit to His Word with fear and trembling. 

When we are people of substance, we live beyond mere status. We cultivate an emotional stability and restedness, security and humility, which enables us to live for God, and handle crises, criticisms and compliments well.

Ultimately, God is more interested in “what we have become” rather than merely “what we have accomplished for Him”.

So don’t neglect or abuse your substance. Don’t pour all your energy into your status, position, outward appearance, and style (the little bit that people see). Rather, remember who you really are, underneath “below the surface”. Develop and grow in godly substance.

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