The year was 1990. Hugh Gallagher entered an essay contest in search of a college scholarship. His assignment was to highlight his personal achievements from the first 18 years of his life. Among Hugh’s claims:
“I write award-winning operas. I often tread water for three days at a time. Using only a hoe and a large glass of water, I single-handedly defended a small village in the Amazon Basin from a horde of ferocious army ants. I play bluegrass cello, was scouted by the Mets, have played Hamlet, performed open-heart surgery, and have spoken with Elvis.”
I applaud Hugh’s achievements, but call me a skeptic.
Paul wrote, “For am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).
At some point, we all must confront an uncomfortable question. “Who am I trying to impress?
Recovery Step: Unless you are writing an essay for a creative writing course, I suggest you keep it real. You can become something you’re not. But you must start with who you are.
