[I've been a major blog slacker over the past few months. I could blame that on a chronic case of writer's block, or on my inability to come up with an interesting topic. But all excuses aside, this blog is back in business.]
But we have this treasure in jars of clay...My last post addressed the dramatic changes that I experienced 10 years ago. When I reminisce about those days as a 12-year-old, I am dumbfounded by my simple understanding of Jesus. The message of Christ made so much sense. I believed "with faith like a child," and I loved Christ for the salvation that He had so freely given to my undeserving self.
The question: Have I changed since then?
The answer: I have. And yet, I haven't.
Over the years, I have grown and struggled and learned. Many of those lessons have been repeated over and over...and over...and over. Along this road, I have frequently learned the importance of humility. Again and again, I am brought to the realization of my own inadequacy, my complete need for and dependence on God. I have learned the truth of David's words in Psalm 51: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." But the story doesn't end there. In the face of my weakness, my shortcoming, my brokenness, God reveals His majestic love and strength. It's a beautiful irony.
Humility is one of the most important foundations of Christianity. It brings us to repentance. It illuminates the overwhelming contrast between God's infinite strength and our weakness. And when we are truly in touch with God's mercy and our unworthiness, we cannot help but love others.
Jesus' humility and servanthood go against our very nature. Instead of looking out for number one, as the world and our internal instincts tell us to, we are to put others first. It's truly counterintuitive, but that's how things often are with God.
Although the Lord has taught me these things on several occasions, it is still a daily struggle to put them into practice. Some days, weeks, and months are better than others.
"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him."
~ 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
Song of the day: "Nothing Without You" - Bebo Norman
Many people pass through aisle 13 every day, but few call it home. However, two college students were found perched upon the shelves last Wednesday night.
Lindsey Carner, of Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, prefers the chip shelf. "I wish we had a 24-hour supermarket near my school where I could live," asserts Carner. "There's nothing like the bustle, the halogen lighting, and the corny soft rock of a grocery store to fall asleep to. It sends you right off to dreamland."
Just kidding.
