Clay in the Hands

This past weekend our area was hit with a winter storm that dropped a couple of inches of snow.  While the snow was beautiful and the moisture was certainly welcomed, the ice that came the day before made things very interesting – slick ice disguised with a dusting of beauty.

Have you ever heard the saying, “He knows just enough to be dangerous.”?  That is a phrase that was started, very likely, to describe drivers in west Texas when the roads are icy.  I have no problem navigating icy and snow covered roads when I am the only person on them.  Unfortunately, it snows in our area just enough to force people to drive on such roads but not enough to give them the experience they need to actually be able to do it safely.  The results are crazy people driving out of control and not even knowing it.

How many of us are going through life with the same reckless abandon while thinking we have it all under control?  Many get up each day with the misconception that they are actually in control of their destiny – that they can make their own way in the world.

Jesus made sure to remind us that he is the way, the truth and the life.  The fact that we are so self-centered that we actually believe this life is somehow about us is why Jesus came in the first place.  He came to show us what life is really about and to guide us through the icy spots and the dangerous conditions to a fulfilled existence.  He sacrificed himself so that you and I could have a relationship with God.

As we approach Thanksgiving – and then Advent – don’t forget that Jesus came to save us – even though we didn’t even know we needed saving.

Praise the Lord, Oh my soul!

Give thanks!

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We live in a broken world – broken people, broken relationships, broken ideas – BROKEN.  But the harsh reality of it all is that I have a part in the brokenness – – as do you.

It is my sin that contributes to the brokenness – my selfishness, my poor choices, my desires, my sin – – and yours.

Because of this broken nature of our world God made him who knew no sin to become my sin – – and your sin.

God sent Jesus to be broken for me – – and you.

Thanks be to God for loving me – – and you.

Praise be to Jesus for becoming my sin – – and yours.

Give thanks today for what God has done.

I do not deserve God’s mercy, God’s forgiveness, God’s love – – and neither do you.

Give thanks today for what God has done.

I am a new creation in Jesus through his sacrifice – through his brokenness – – are you?

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Humility.  Some reading this word might immediately think – “weak.”  Others reading the word might think – “noble” or “honorable.”  Your understanding of this word will direct the rest of your days.  True humility is never weakness but rather the realization of whence real power comes.

But please don’t think we can treat this complex virtue of humility flippantly or casually.  True humility is a complex virtue – possibly even a cyclical undertaking in the life of a human.  Thomas Merton, in frustration of realizing this complexity cried out to God in prayer:

Lord, you have taught us to love humility, but we have not learned.  We have learned only to love the outward surface of it – the humility that makes a person charming and attractive.  We sometimes pause to think about these qualities, and we often pretend that we possess them, and that we have gained them by “practicing humility.”

If we were really humble, we would know to what extent we are liars!

Pretty straight forward words from a humble man.  You see, if we have to tell people we are humble then we aren’t.

A complex virtue indeed.

God calls us to die to ourselves – to humble ourselves – and to live completely surrendered to God and the calling on our lives.  There is an element of real freedom here that we must not miss.  God does not call us to put on a mask and try and live up to the world’s standards.  We don’t have to worry about what others think.  We don’t have to put on aires and strive to be someone we are not.  In fact, we are not even expected to be successful – regardless of how you define that word and concept.  The only expectation on us is to be faithful.

It starts with humility.

God, today, help me to realize those areas in my life where I have replaced you with desires to succeed.  Rekindle in me a passion to serve you with all that I am – sold out and and completely surrendered.    Amen

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