Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
We sat in my office last week discussing a variety of subjects; the loss of a spouse, the impending birth of a first grandchild, philosophy, theology, mysticism, and our baptismal call to service. My friend is well educated, successful in life and enjoying the fruits of years of productive labor. Our conversation took a turn as we touched on the topic of human insecurity. He said, “I am the most insecure person I know.” I responded, “That’s because you are the only person that you really know.” Short of some personality disorder, I believe that all humans are insecure, that insecurity lies just beneath the veneer that hides us from the world. Some thoughts about human insecurity:
- “If you are insecure, guess what? The rest of the world is too. Do not overestimate the competition and underestimate yourself.” — T. Harv Eker
- “The task we must set for ourselves is not to feel secure, but to be able to tolerate insecurity.” — Erich Fromm
- “Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
- “The reason why we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind the scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel.” — Steven Furtick
- “If you realize that other people put you down because of their own insecurities, unhappiness and jealousy, you understand that there’s no need to be offended. Because it’s not really about you, but about them.” Anonymous
The root causes of my own insecurities can be traced to a few painful interactions, interactions that have haunted me, left me vulnerable, led me to believe that I did not quite measure up. I can still hear the hurtful words of an older boy as he ridiculed me at a public pool nearly 60 years ago. He still comes with me every time I go for a swim.
In the candidacy process in the ELCA I was obligated to jump through a series of hoops. My required meeting with a psychiatrist in Chicago ended with the good doctor telling me that he would not stand in my way, but he did not think that I would be able to compete academically. He thought that I and the church would be better served if I pursued another profession. His words accuse me still. Consequently, for 40 years, my life has been marked by excessive preparation, always hoping not to be found out, unmasked, often feeling like a fraud.
Our insecurities, sometimes too painful to talk about, are always lurking; a small voice waiting to remind us of what is lacking and threatening to surface. They retain power by hiding in the dark recesses of our memories, holding us back, and stifling our joy. This reality is not an anomaly; for college presidents, movie stars, teachers, ferry workers and boat builders, one cutting word or misstep and they are all laid bare by insecurity. So, what will we do with this information? Can we somehow make peace with our common frailty? Can we give ourselves a break for being human? Can we be more forgiving and gentler to those we live or work with? Can we recognize that we have the power to expose or encourage those around us?
When it has all been said and done, insecurity is a given. The only security that we have in this world is found in the sure promises of God; we are loved, we are forgiven and we are never alone.
One beggar, telling another beggar where to find bread, I am your,
Pastor Jim
rvlindus@whidbey.com
