I walked up the smooth stone steps, balancing a tray of muffins in one hand as my five-month-old daughter squirmed on my hip, and repeatedly poked me in the eye with her finger. I was headed to Bible study.
That morning I had meticulously prepared and rehearsed what I was going to say. I planned on sounding very holy and very theologically adept. I was a few years into my reversion to the Faith, and I wanted to prove I was on the path to righteousness by impressing all the ladies at Bible study with my muffin baking skills, and baby juggling skills, and praying out loud perfectly skills. I certainly wanted to exult myself, and the Lord certainly humbled me (see Luke 14:11).
The moment I sat down, I forgot all my deep theological insights, and I stumbled awkwardly through my prayer. At that time, I wasn’t striving for holiness in order to grow closer to the Lord. I was striving for holiness in order to impress others. I was using holiness as a competition.
The Lord reminded me that holiness was about love, and relationship, and truth. Holiness was about humility, and grace, and healing.
Maybe you have fallen into this trap? The trap of wanting to be perceived as the greatest. Maybe you are afraid of being honest about your struggles? Afraid to ask questions? Afraid of being who you are and allowing the Lord to see you? I encourage you today to reject those lies and comparisons and prideful pressures.
I encourage you to find the gift of humility, the beauty of humility, and the healing of being humbled again and again by the One Who loves you most.
LOVING GOD, LOVING OTHERS
A NEW WORKSHOP
COME BACK TO FIRST LOVE
