LOVERS OF OWN SELVES
By Amir Fatir
 
 A sign of the last days is that “men will be lovers of their own selves.”  This prophecy is fulfilled by the worship of celebrities and the craze over taking selfies.  So narcissistic have people become that a trend of marrying yourself has begun.
There is a difference between self-esteem and vanity.  Self-esteem is founded upon a true estimation of the value of the self.  The self is one’s true identity, one’s soul that’s imperishable and which the Bible calls “the inmost part.”
Vanity is based upon fascination with the perishable, vapid parts of being such as one’s cuteness, shape of body parts, color of hair or skin, size of organs, talents such as singing or athleticism.  None of those lovely body parts will matter when your body is a skeleton.  Muhammad Ali’s athleticism is long one, but his soul endures.  When the sun has burned out, Ali’s soul will still shine.  When he was vain little Cassius Clay he boasted “I’m so pretty.”  He’s not so pretty anymore.  All is vanity, saith the preacher.
Vanity actually reflects low self-esteem, not high self-esteem.
The best selfie is meditation.  That is a vehicle for actually experiencing the self instead of looking at the perishable body. The body is like the car you drive.  The self is who you truly are.
You and the father are one.