Greetings
Have you ever needed to be taken down a peg or two? Consider today’s Holy Nougat
“Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp.” Psalms 131:1 NLT
I recall with clarity (if not precision), the conversation with my pastor during candidates’ classes; “and if you feel as if you are beginning to be too cockaty, there’s a scripture for you too. Psalm 1, 111, 1!” ‘What Rev? Psalm one and psalm hundred and eleven, verse one?’ “No, listen again. Psalm 1, 1-1-1, 1” He was laughing at me I’m sure. I finally got it that he referenced psalm 131. The process of figuring it out was humbling.
And then I tried to absorb the words – my heart is not proud and my eyes aren’t haughty … let’s just say it’s been an ongoing journey.
Pride and haughtiness love to creep in very quickly when we take our eyes off God and zero in on ourselves. Especially if we begin the comparison game. (The comparison game/trip usually fosters pride, complacency or self-pity). Not even the disciples we’re exempt. So while Jesus was expounding while they walked, they were preoccupied with who was the greatest – obviously they hadn’t met Muhammad Ali! It may be subtle and unintentional – like the Pharisee whose pride crept into his prayer; “Lord, I’m so relieved I’m not like …” Been there have you? Unfortunately, so have I on occasion, so have I
Next step? Prayer for recovery from thinking ourselves better than another person; from becoming obsessed with ourselves and creating our own Tower (of Babel) in honor of ourselves. Praying that we begin to appreciate the insights and input of others, however great or small it may seem.
Next step? Becoming more intentional in caring for others and lifting them up, instead of identifying ways to disparage. Consciously decide to credit God with (even some of) the glory for our accomplishments – like my pastor friend would say ‘God must get the glory …’ Yes, it’s okay to recognize God’s investment in our lives.
And lastly – enjoy opportunities to laugh at ourselves for a bit.
Blessings and hugs
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
