This is actually from a paper i wrote about 6years ago and was surprised at what i wrote. it was good so i thought i'd post it here for some discussion...
Background:
Two authors said that "...we percieve who we really are by seeing ourselves reflected in the reactions of others...for the reflection we percieve, or permit ourselves to see...not only tells who we are but also determines who we will become." Or as my friend once said, "You aren't who you think you are. You are not what others think you are. You are what you think others think you are."
With that said, here's my paper:
"[Seeing himself in the eyes and reactions of God] is what allowed Job to stay strong in the face of friends who were giving bad counsel. This was his strength to hold hold to hope while his wife said, "Put your things in order." This was his strength even when the devil took it from him. When Job had no one on earth to turn to, the God of Heaven was there for him. In fact God made it His personal business to talk to him face to face. To Job this was the best answer, not answering why, but knowing that although all others fail him, The LORD of All would never leave him nor forsake him. This gave Job not only a hope but also a future to look forward to. This isn't just for Job alone but also for each and every believer. For in the Gospels [Jesus] says, "For I no longer call you servants, I call you friends."
If those authors are right about how we think of ourselves, then we should consider God as the best source. He is the One who not only sees us rightly but wants nothing but our best, and He alone knows what that is. In the end this will trully keep us sane and guide us into healthier relationships. For if God is our model then we have a [perfect] backdrop in which every aspect of every other relationship with which we can compare.
If God be our friend He will teach us how to be a true friend to others through His own example to us. He alone teaches what it means to forgive others. He himself has forgiven us of our great sin, rebellion and pride. He tells us that we no longer need to live like Hell for we will be going to Heaven on account of what He has done for us and in our place. How could we not do the same for those who don't really owe us anything? If, when we were not deserving of forgiveness we received it, than why not freely give it to others? There is no real good answer for this except that our friend and companion, not to mention Savior of our very souls, commands it. To sum up..."Whether we like it or not, all of us have to learn to love one another" -Greely pg164"
Let me know what you think about the topic or even my writing in general...i just like getting feedback.
*references
-The Bible
-The Friendship Game by Andrew Greely
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