So last night my kids came home from Bible study with ec Magazine in hand. The new issue is out, and I did not even realize it! My article appears in the November issue. (This is actually a picture of September's issue, but I couldn't find a pic of November...sorry) The article is about Humility. It is the third such article that I have done for them. Man, it sure is nice to see your name in print...and I mean that in the humblest of ways. :) Perhaps I need to reread the article...Turning the last corner of the track, you lengthen your stride down the straight away, and you pick up the pace to finish strong. You lift your face toward the sun and raise your arms in triumph as you stick out your chest to meet the finish line. You finish the race first, several lengths in front of the second place contender. The crowd cheers loudly, and they are applauding for you! What an exhilarating feeling! Excellence and perfection are marvelous qualities to have in your game, your performance, or your presentation; however, how you handle yourself the next day can prove to be the most difficult hurdle to jump.
Developing your talents and becoming the best that you can be are exactly what God wants for you. After all, he is the one who blesses each individual with particular gifts needed for the plan that he has for their life. Each of us has a cup from which to drink in our lives. Jesus’ cup or plan for his life was sacrificing himself making a way for our forgiveness. It was no easy cup either. Even Jesus who had lived a perfect life and excelled in every area, acknowledged that the cup he faced with the Crucifixion was difficult, but he humbly surrendered his life. While in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed to the Father and yielded his own life to God’s plan for him. Jesus prayed, “…nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”
Jesus was perfect and gifted in all areas. Even at a young age he was very knowledgeable and was able to teach Biblical scholars about the Bible. He lived a flawless life. If anyone has bragging rights it would be him.
However, he demonstrated by example the need to remain humble even when gifted with the ability to surpass others. It is important to remember that even though we might be talented with earthly abilities, as Christians our reward should be heavenly. God has chosen a specific path for us. That path is not about lifting ourselves up for others to see, but it is about other people seeing Christ lifted up in our lives. Certainly we should become the best we can be in all areas of life so that we can best be used by God; however, we should remain focused on our walk with Christ and not become distracted by pride or self importance.
Humility or having a modest opinion of yourself is one of the first hurdles in striving for Christlike perfection. Humbling yourself and accepting your cup or Christ’s plan will bring honor and self worth in the end. In Proverbs 22: 4 the Bible says “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.” Sounds pretty rewarding. As we “finish our course” let’s remember that the winning cup in our life’s race is humbling ourselves before Christ and allowing his love to shine through us for others to see.
Developing your talents and becoming the best that you can be are exactly what God wants for you. After all, he is the one who blesses each individual with particular gifts needed for the plan that he has for their life. Each of us has a cup from which to drink in our lives. Jesus’ cup or plan for his life was sacrificing himself making a way for our forgiveness. It was no easy cup either. Even Jesus who had lived a perfect life and excelled in every area, acknowledged that the cup he faced with the Crucifixion was difficult, but he humbly surrendered his life. While in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed to the Father and yielded his own life to God’s plan for him. Jesus prayed, “…nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”
Jesus was perfect and gifted in all areas. Even at a young age he was very knowledgeable and was able to teach Biblical scholars about the Bible. He lived a flawless life. If anyone has bragging rights it would be him.
However, he demonstrated by example the need to remain humble even when gifted with the ability to surpass others. It is important to remember that even though we might be talented with earthly abilities, as Christians our reward should be heavenly. God has chosen a specific path for us. That path is not about lifting ourselves up for others to see, but it is about other people seeing Christ lifted up in our lives. Certainly we should become the best we can be in all areas of life so that we can best be used by God; however, we should remain focused on our walk with Christ and not become distracted by pride or self importance.
Humility or having a modest opinion of yourself is one of the first hurdles in striving for Christlike perfection. Humbling yourself and accepting your cup or Christ’s plan will bring honor and self worth in the end. In Proverbs 22: 4 the Bible says “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.” Sounds pretty rewarding. As we “finish our course” let’s remember that the winning cup in our life’s race is humbling ourselves before Christ and allowing his love to shine through us for others to see.
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