Who says I have no right to hold my head high? I am somebody! God made me so. "What is man...thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor" (Psa. 8:5). By creation, God set me above all his creatures and but little beneath his angels.

Second thoughts assail me. I recall that man is not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think (Rom. 12:3). But examining that verse closely, it demands high self-esteem — "think highly of himself." It condemns an exaggerated opinion — "too highly." And humility does not demand I call myself a worm and deny that I am worth anything. In fact, I cannot treasure — love — my neighbor as myself without thinking highly of myself.

Now, I see where God has further exalted me. I was one of those who were not a people" — nobodies (] Pet. 2:9,10). But God changed that. By his redemptive plan, I am not only somebody, but somebody special! I have been elevated to a "holy nation," a "royal priesthood," the "people of God," and a "peculiar people" — not weird but special to God. I must lift my head — and my ways. God's somebody cannot live like a dog or a heathen. God's somebody cannot follow "fleshly lusts which war against the soul."

son declares he is above the angels. Right? Well, I am a son of God! "For it became him in bringing many sons to glory...For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one...he is not ashamed to call them brethren...And again, I and the children which God hath given me" (2:10-13). Being a son certifies that I am a "somebody" exalted even above the angels.

Paul confirms this. We were once "dead in trespasses and sins” — the children "of disobedience" and "of wrath" (Eph. 2:l-). That is a dead-end street — real nobodies. "But" — what a wonderful word of contrast and change — "God...quickened us to together with Christ...and...raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ.” In "the heavenlies" is not geography, but a term of exaltation. God exalted Christ, setting him in the heavenlies (1:19-) and exalted us, sitting us with him. Yes sir, I definitely am somebody!

Meanwhile back at the ranch — a brother laments work neglected in the congregation. "What ever happened to hospitality? Our visitors’ need to he greeted and later visited. Somebody ought to be doing that." "Right:" say I. Another complains, "Brother John is surely slipping. Somebody ought to go talk to him." I nod agreement. And still another adds, "We aren't seeing any conversions. Somebody ought to get out and teach the lost." I nod. BUT WAIT A MINUTE! I am somebody! And somebody has a lot of work to do.

Joe Fitch, San Antonio, TX