Exalting Yourself

I heard on the news that Pres. Obama was asked to grade himself on his first year (nearly) in office.  He gave himself a grade of B+ and then went on to explain all the wonderful things he had done.

Then in today’s reading I read Prov. 20:6 “Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man?”

Isn’t it true.  Most men will proclaim their own goodness.  What a temptation.  I remember how I was asked to evaluate my own performance at work, nearly 30 years ago now, before my manager gave me his evaluation.  He wanted to take my own thoughts into his evaluation.  I did.  But I have always regretted doing it.  It did not seem right.  And still doesn’t.

If only the President of the United States would have brushed aside the question and left his evaluation to others and to history he would have been more of a statesman. Where are the statesmen of today?  If only we had national leaders who were statesmen first and politicians last.  That is the great thing lacking in today’s world – statesmanship, integrity, faithfulness.

And it is the same in Christian circles.  God is looking for statesmen, for integrity in those in leadership and those not in leadership.  God is looking for faithful men and women.  Let us be faithful and full of integrity and leave our evaluation to others and to the Lord