I spend a great many hours preening my feathers on the highest perch I can find, showing the world how beautiful I am. It’s just one of those things that any self-respecting parrot has to do, and I suppose it must be engrained into our DNA.
And there’s a sub-species of human called “models” who behave in much the same way. Their daily routine involves picking and plucking, puckering and pouting, peering and perfecting and prancing around. Some even appear inside the talking picture box in the corner of the room and say: “Because I’m worth it!” Yes, these humans, like parrots, can be totally obsessed by their physical appearance. And although I’m a hypocrite saying this, I find it such a terrible shame. Because God’s given us all the most wonderful brains; brains to help us evolve, to look beyond ourselves and to reach out to others around us, but all within a limited timeframe. Our lives don’t go on for ever which means that every single day is precious. So maybe today, I’ll break the mould; instead of being a Parrot Narcissist, I’ll see what I can do to improve the world around me. Today I’ll reach out to others. Because God doesn’t mind what I look like; it’s what I do that counts.
“God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves.” (Dwight Moody: [1837-1899]: American evangelist)
“A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.”
(William Shakespeare: [c.1564-1616]: English playwright, poet and actor)
“I believe we are here on the planet Earth to live, grow up and do what we can to make this world a better place for all people to enjoy freedom.” (Rosa Parks: [1913-2005] American civil rights activist)
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Luke 14:11)
“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity…...”
(Ephesians 5:15)
“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
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