With this type of kindness being experienced rather than just mentally agreed upon, there comes a real thief into the situation. In order for that thief not to rob God of His honor, humility before Him consistently is of utmost importance for me. For His honor, but also for my sustenance, to not lean on my own understanding or 'strength', is an absolute must for me during these days.
I want to specify the reference I made to a 'thief'. I do wish I had taken this opportunity before now to delve in more so than I did in the above quote, but now is better than later.
This is the thief that threatens: PRIDE. I know, you're thinking even now...no...not in this situation. Pride? Are you kidding me, or yourself? Our hearts are so incredibly bent towards honoring self they will take any and every occasion to do so. It does not take much apparent strength for our self-absorbed hearts to cling to things like, "you are so strong", "I don't know how you do it", and really any other statement, no matter how true it may be or from what genuine motive it was derived.
God is strong. And He has held me and mine during these days. He will be ultimately committed to doing so, I am sure. However, I am just as sure that any attempt to stand in my own strength will result in a kind display from the Lord that He is strong and I am not.
The thief of pride longs more than anything to rob God of His unimaginable honor, and to steal from Him that glory which belongs only to Him. Because our hearts are not much more than idol factories with the one idol of self being the most prominent, it is utterly crucial that Christ be continuously seated there on the throne of our hearts and that our own plans, strength, etc. be cast down doing proper homage to Him.
4 comments:
I continually deal with my pride.It wasn't something I dealt with in the beginning of this journey but man it creeps in at every corner now that I am aware. It is a thief and the Lord will deal with us.
"the haughtiness of man shall be humbled,and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low,and the Lord alone will be exalted"
Isaiah 2:17
It is so interesting that you bring this up. After reading that post that day I have really pondered on what you might be referring to as the thief. I thought that it may be the desire to share your heartache and pain at the funeral or even to others since. Either way how amazing that you recognize it for what it is and desire to allow God to have all the glory and not try to split it with Him. You have been amazingly strong but it is very evident that it is God's strength in you b/c you have proven over and over that He is where you are drawing from.
A good friend in Christ once told Frank and I, "If the devil cannot stop you from doing your work, he will make you proud of it." I believe this is true for all situations - how we work,how we witness to others, how we worship,even how we grieve, etc... If we think we do these things of our own accord or in our own strength, we are fools and we rob God of His glory.
Tracy V
I Corinthians 4:3-5
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
For I know of nothing against myself yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the LORD.
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the LORD comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.
Isn't it awesome that the ONE...the only ONE who is to judge us is our loving Father. Think of all the relationships that are out there....that He created. Friend, employee/employer, master/slave, ruler/subject...And He chose to be our loving Father
...AND Creator.
Psalm 103:14
For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.
As a parent I understand and am amazed by His awesome love even more because of this picture of a Father. I see that my children may frustrate me at times by their actions or attitudes, but it all is filtered through the deep, deep love I have for them....and understanding of their actions. Sometimes I know what they will say or do even before they say or do it. And they think they're being so original!!! :) Only my understanding of my children doesn't even come close to the understanding my Father has of me. His knowledge is far more intimate. He MADE me. He not only knows what makes me tick....HE was the One who knit me together in my mother's womb and knew what would happen EVERY single day of my life ahead of time. Before a word is on my tongue HE KNOWS IT!!!!
May you continue to find out the greatness of His loving heart for you and continue to rest in Him.
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