Self Love

I want to draw your attention to a verse that many of you may be familiar with: Colossians 3:12.

It reads: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” (NIV) I appreciate the way this verse is worded in the Message translation. It reads: “So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offence. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.” (Message)

As we digest scripture like this, our initial tendency seems to be to apply these principles to those in our sphere of influence: our friends, our family members, our co-workers, our volunteers, our residents. That tendency is wholly honorable and is likely exactly why you hold the type of influential position that you do on this campus. However, I want to challenge you today to take the principles conveyed in this verse and apply them to the way that you treat yourself.

During my time at AU, I have come to realize that there is no greater critic of the manner in which I live my life than me. I truly am my own worst enemy. I often find myself criticizing the ways in which I do and say things more harshly than I would ever criticize those living life around me. “What’s the matter with you?” “Why can’t you do anything right?” “When will you finally get it together?” “When will you ever be good enough?” These questions are truly cringe-worthy. If you were to observe these questions being asked of one of your peers (a friend, a resident, a classmate), you would become visually uncomfortable with the way in which they were being treated. Why then are we so comfortable criticizing ourselves in this way? Why is it so hard for us to show ourselves the same love, grace, and understanding that we so easily show others? Writer and public speaker, Holly Gerth, challenges us to love ourselves in the following way: “Can you take that harsh hand off your heart and let him hold you instead? Can you trade your criticism for his gentleness and your impatience with yourself for his everlasting care? He has promised to complete what he has started in you, and it happens not by force but by faith.”

There’s no question about it. Living life is hard, and there is no shortage of critics out there just waiting for an opportunity to kick us while we’re down. You know what though? You are as deserving of love and grace as the next person. You are taking life on, one step at a time, and for that, you deserve a pat on the back and a genuine “I believe in you.” Keep doing what you’re doing, friends. You’re impacting the hearts of those living life on this campus. Show yourself some love today! It looks great on you!

Shari recently went sky diving for the first time.  She would say she was "embracing bold."

Shari Stadelmayer

ULC Member, 2013-2014