"Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation."
A prayer that I have asked with some frequency in my life is for holiness and humility.
The answers to that prayer are forever surprising me. God never hands gift-wrapped character into my eager arms, free of strain, trauma or exhaustion.
I have found that my pride takes a lot to break down.
O but blessed is the day when it is finally taken down another level!
I can finally breathe with less toxic fumes of self-absorbtion.
I can finally see the glorious sky without the mountain of ME looming large.
I can finally stretch out to love and be loved when the chains of narcissism are broken
and I am free.
But in the actual breaking down process-- mentally, emotionally, physically, self-righteously --
I find that I don't assume this is God kindly answering that prayer for holiness and humility, but assume instead that God is harshly raging in my face. And I assume there is nowhere to run but to my own self as protector against these trials. My only mental companions in these times seem to be Failures and Never-Enoughs. I put my face in my hands and I amount to absolutely nothing.
But recently, Jesus has confronted me with reality.
(Blessed be His Name.)
He has shown me that He, the RIGHTEOUS and JUST and HOLY One, is also Humble King. The Humble King rode in on a donkey when He could've come on a mighty high horse. Jesus Christ chooses to humble Himself to wash the nasty off of humanity -- including Joy Martin. He gets down on His knees in the dirt and shame of who I really am -- and He loves me. He lifts me up out of the pit and puts me among princes.
These encounters with the Humble King -- these are what will make me humble with those around me. Focusing on the failures in my life won't do it. Instead, receiving grace, joy and kindness in the midst of my failures will make my heart flower with His humility, blushing that He should delight in creatures such as myself.
He is alive and we are free
He is alive and we have found our peace
Our King has come
-Elevation Worship
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