Great Humility

It takes great humility to accept that we are the problem when it comes to many of the negative outcomes of our lives. Yet it takes great wisdom to recognize that we are also disqualified from being the solution. Any ideology that promotes “self” as the resolution …self-love, self help, etc. ….also promotes the characteristics of an auto-immune disease (the body attacks itself). It takes outside intervention to correct the problem. Enters grace (Jesus).

Much of the messaging we see plastered all over the place suggests we are the key to our lives. Yet, we are not. Considering otherwise is when we find ourselves wrestling with and struggling with the cares of life. The first tenet to following Jesus is self-denial. He never told us to love or help ourselves …because He knew, “self” is inadequate and also the catalyst to the mess in the first place. “Self” points to us as god. Consider, if God is love (I John 4:8) …then what is self-love? Self-god. If God is our help (Psalm 46:1), then what is self-help? Self-god. 

Following Jesus will cost us everything and if we’re not willing to live with a reckless abandonment concerning all of our lives yielded to Him, we will struggle every time. Reckless abandonment for the cause of Christ is not often taught because it rivals the message of our day that promotes lovers of self, just as 2 Timothy warned us about. Take a look around and listen …our culture is being taught to become more selfish and self-centered, to look out for self, and to look to self as god and solution. 

Yet, His desire is that we come to the end of ourselves so that He can lead us, holistically. That means every decision, desire, goal, plan …yielded to Jesus. It’s never about what we want to do, but rather submitting ourselves to what He’s called us to do. Yes, learning to follow Him is a process and we may often miss it, but the quicker we can learn how to yield more proficiently, the quicker we can learn to overcome more cheerfully. For this, joy, peace, and confidence in Jesus is our reward. 

I never make “own-understanding” decisions or pursue selfish ambitions, and then ask God to bless them. He will not. He has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing. 

Ephesians 1:3

I praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.