How do you see yourself? In sociology, I learned about the “looking glass” self. The theory is that we see ourselves the way we see others see us. If people see us as worthwhile and good, we may see ourselves that way. But if others look down on us, we internalize that.
In a tribal culture, Gideon was born at the bottom of the society. He came from the small half-tribe of Manasseh. His clan was the weakest one and he was the youngest in his family. The position of being in charge of the world was already taken and far removed from Gideon when he was born. To make matters worse, the people of Israel were under the oppressive power of the Midianites. He had no hope of improving his lot in life.
But God. Just when Gideon least expected it, the angel of the Lord showed up and greeted him with the strangest words: “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Gideon must have looked over his shoulder to see whom the angel was addressing. How could the Lord be with Israel when they were in so much trouble? With the greeting came an assignment: “go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand.” The angel might as well have said, “Leap the Jordan river in a single bound.” How would Gideon do this? Well the Lord was with him, sending him.
How does God see us? We know how we look to others and ourselves, but how do we look to God? God so often chooses the person who can do nothing without him. Then when that person succeeds, everyone knows that only God could have done that. Humility is a great quality. Doubting God, not so much. The great question of our lives is not what can we do if we do our best. But what can we do if God is with us and sends us? When Gideon saw himself as God did and trusted God’s presence he succeeded powerfully. It could happen to us, too!
