01/22/2019
What is it about ourselves that causes us to be prideful? Do you say “I am a self-made man!” And give speeches about how anyone can do what you have done if they only apply themselves as you have? Such conceit, and arrogance! Who gave you the mind you have, the wisdom and not a mental disability, or the body that is straight and not bent, and a land of opportunity in which to live rather than one of famine? What part did you play in any of this? All you are, and everything you have comes from God... be humble in your thanks.
“"Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any wood, the vine branch that is among the trees of the forest? Is wood taken from it to make anything? Do people take a peg from it to hang any vessel on it? Behold, it is given to the fire for fuel. When the fire has consumed both ends of it, and the middle of it is charred, is it useful for anything?”Ezekiel 15:2-4 ESV
And even in this scripture we find that we can claim no part, for we are not even the vine... we are simply its branches... not even useless for the fire, but only the rubbish heap, or to be twisted into rough baskets. Listen as Jesus speakers...
“"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”John 15:1, 5, 8 ESV
Even in this... what makes one branch suitable for producing fruit, and another whither? Why does disease attack one and not another? Why is it that the vinedresser selects those sickly branches to cut away but leaves others to be pruned and made to bear much fruit? Is this our doing? No... all we produce comes from the hand of God, to satisfy His will, and towards His glory; not our own.
God most assuredly has a plan for us. Some of us are to be kings while others merely house servants, or workers in the field, but in the eyes of God none is more or less than the other because it isn’t what we have, or what we own in this world that impresses Him, but rather who we are inside, and how we have chosen to love Him.
“So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”Acts 10:34-35 ESV
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
So it is God who gives us those things in life that make us who we are as physical creatures, and sets us within the motion of the earth that He has made, but all of that is His doing... what is ours, and is chosen by us, is how we will love, serve, and worship Him... it is our desire to be recast spiritually in His character that pleases Him. It is such things as love conquering hate, humility defeating our pride of self, good rising above evil, and all those other wonderful and perfect attributes of God. It is becoming like our Father... His child.
Are you prideful regarding what you have, and who you have become within the world? Well ask yourself the real question of life... the question whose answer dictates eternity, and not a few years... “how precious has my spirit become to the Father?”
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for what You have made me to be on this earth because it allows me to love my neighbors by using those things I have been given to ease their suffering. I thank you for showing me that even in the most underprivileged of those you have created there is a worth that is equal to kings in your eyes. Give me the love, goodness, and kindness to humble myself in service to all your children, especially the most profoundly handicapped or diminished of them. Help me to realize that all of the riches I have came from you, and that it was you who set those wheels in motion that made me the son or daughter of who I am, gave me the mental aptitude I possess, and the health I have. It is by your will that I was born strong of body, and not crippled, and it was you who gave me the wealth I am now tempted to call my own. None of these things are mine to gloat over, or take pride in. It is now my choice to determine how I will use these gifts you have bestowed on me. Will I make the lives of others better? Will I clothe the naked, feed the hungry, cure the sick, or will I horde your gifts as if they belong to me? Will my spirit grow to be a semblance of you, or whither and be cut from the vine? Lead me Lord, and give me understanding Holy Spirit, that I can grow in faith, and obey your will in my life. Teach me Jesus to be the servant of all God’s children, and to use what God has given me to heal those of faith as you did. Oh Father, Holy, Holy, Holy, are you and great is your ability to see past the power or weaknesses of man, to find the treasure of his spirit, and the image of you within his soul. Praised be your name forever, and glory be yours throughout eternity.
Rich Forbes