A young boy brought home poor grades from school. His parents protested, telling him he could do better. He argued back, a bit defiant, with the declaration, “But this is who I am! I’m not smart like the other kids.”

Have you ever faced another person who took the position of “This is who I am. Take it or leave it,” type of announcement?

On one hand, there is a freedom to be gained in accepting us for who we are. It’s important to not judge ourselves down, or others, because we’re manifesting less than perfection.

But I was thinking today, that this type of conclusion can also be abused and used to justify less than ideal behavior, or shoddy performance.

Who are we anyway?

Are we what the eye sees? Are we a mortal plagued with imperfections? Are we hopelessly prone to repetitive mistakes and slip-ups? Do we have to be hard to get along with?

I don’t think so.

I believe we are something unimaginably greater than the human mind has ever comprehended. I believe we’ve barely glimpsed our true potential as the offspring of divine Mind. I believe we are something far superior than we have yet demonstrated in everyday life.

As God’s image, we are not hopelessly prone to repeating errors and shortcomings. They can be overcome with deeper spiritual understanding of the one Mind’s governance over our lives.

When we understand our true selfhood to be reflective of the infinite and perfect individuality of God, the statement “This is who I am,” is made in the context of “I am God’s perfect image.”

When my children justify less than ideal performance, I remind them of who they are as God’s intelligent image. It helps them get over their consent to less than ideal behavior. It works for me too. And it will probably work for you!

“This is who I am,” is not an acceptable argument if made in the context of “I am a fallible mortal.” We are not fallible mortals. We are God’s image.

Yes, we have much to demonstrate to prove we are God’s image, but the premise of our reasoning must be correct to arrive at the desired destination.

From now on, I will be more careful to not lay on others the “This is who I am” statement unless it’s made in a spiritual context of “This is who I am—God’s image!” It feels much better that way.

“Anybody, who is able to perceive the incongruity between God’s idea and poor humanity, ought to be able to discern the distinction (made
by Christian Science) between God’s man, made in His image, and the sinning race of Adam…

“When man is spoken of as made in God’s image, it is not sinful and sickly mortal man who is referred to, but the ideal man, reflecting God’s likeness.” Mary Baker Eddy