Born in 1759, our esteemed bard, Robert Burns showed early passion for nature as well as poetry.

While mostly remembered for his poetry, he was seen as a pioneer of the Romantic Movement. His writings became an inspiration for the founders of liberalism and socialism. He also had a spiritual awareness.

It was while attending a church service that “To a Louse” was inspired, when he noticed the creature crawling on the bonnet of a grand lady.

Did the louse realise the identity of its host? If so, would it have avoided her, seeing a difference between her in her grandeur and Burns: a common farm worker? Of course not.

To the louse there was no difference. So Burns pondered: what of us humans? We all have equal value. Yet unlike the louse, we often fail recognise this and make false judgements. So having first rebuked the louse for its boldness, the bard famously continued:

“O wad some Pow'r the giftie gie us

To see oursels as ithers see us.”

In plain English:; Oh that God would give us the gift to see ourselves as others see us.

Several truths emerge, one being the challenge to see that we each have value and that humble self-esteem should result.

Correct regard for ourselves and others is important. But more important is paying attention to how God sees us.

Jesus told a parable about a Pharisee and a publican, who both went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee proudly listed things he did to impress the Almighty, while the other man stood back with few words, aware of his failure and unworthiness in God’s sight.

Jesus observed that the second man went home “justified rather than the other”. Perhaps it was remembering these words that inspired Jesus’ brother, James, to write: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

If we take Burns’ alert seriously, dare we fail to heed Jesus’ words that have far wider implications?