Required memorization in my 12th grade English class was "Ozymandias," a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley. It was I thought an odd poem at the time and has just recently reentered my thinking. The poem describes a traveller who recounts from his travels an impression of a broken statue, presumably in a desert region--possibly Egypt. Shelley describes this statue as quite large and at one time representing a quite powerful leader who thought himself immortal and his kingdom invincible. Of course, nothing is remembered of him and his statue lies in ruins after centuries of sand has etched his face and features. Nothing left but two stubs of stone legs remind the traveler of the mortality of human existence.
So what does that have to do with modern day folks? Two people groups, the Christian and the unbeliever are called into consideration. First, The Ozymandias syndrome or thinking is present in the unbeliever. Man in his unregenerate mind believes that he or she dominates the world in some way. A thought, an action, a kingdom, a way of life, something will be reticent of them that surely all men and women henceforth will remember. True we know of Julius Ceasar and Alexander's kingdoms--now gone for centuries. Adolf Hitler's thousand year Reich and the Arian race supremacy buried in the pages of History books that few desire to read. No mortal man or woman no matter how great they think they are will stand to last for any span of time that the sands of forgetfulness will not erase.
The Bible plainly tells us in Psalm 37:34-36,
Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
So many people think themselves to be so great in their own conceits and pride, yet they will not look to only One who is great and everlasting. Their doom is forever sealed unless they turn to the Lord.
Now to the Christian believer. May we note that the Christian, as defined by Holy Scripture is one who has surrendered his or her soul and life to Jesus Christ by placing their faith in Him as their only Lord and Saviour. However, in our lives we still deal with Ozymandias at times. We do err and stray for a short time from God. We experience a measure of success, a bit of fame, a smattering of fortune, or a enlightened moment of learning and we can easily think ourselves great, powerful, intelligent, wise, profound, lovely, and the adjectives name themselves automatically. But for the grace of God we would continue this way. But doesn't God want me to be great and mighty and all that? The answer is simply that He can and does make us so, but only to help advance His Kingdom. His chief desire for us on planet Earth is to make us more like His Son. If you do not see the literal value of that now, you will. Compare Jesus Christ to Ozymandias. Would you rather be a forgotten wreck of crumbling stone, or a immortal glorified being with a body that neither fades, sees corruption, or knows no ending? But we must submit ourselves to Him. But He is not like and earthly Ozymandias master who cripples His servants under His heavy hand. What would be the benefit? Jesus Christ separates Himself above all earthly rulers by saying, "You're my servants yes, but also my Friends." John 15:15
Do you have the Ozymandias syndrome? Does self rule dictate your destiny? Repent and ask Christ to forgive you. If you do not have Him in your heart, consider. To follow the God who is Creator and Master of this world, or two forgotten broken legs of stone.
Do you have the Ozymandias syndrome? Does self rule dictate your destiny? Repent and ask Christ to forgive you. If you do not have Him in your heart, consider. To follow the God who is Creator and Master of this world, or two forgotten broken legs of stone.
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Note: Images used on this site are used only for this non-profit blog. Credit is given to the creator of the image and a link back when available. We try not to knowingly violate any copyrights.
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courtesy of Alexandria Public Gallery
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