 |
 |
  |
 |
  |
||
|
 |
Arrows of the Almighty Stuck on Yourself?
I hope you will not be offended by this story but it happened to me and for a definite reason. I was young and new on the staff of a large Methodist Church here in Tucson and a bit proud that I had already reached such a prestigious position so early in my ministry. The bride and groom were from prominent families in the community and I was asked to perform the wedding. I was elated to be chosen but I was also a bit nervous about the ceremonial splendor of the whole affair. During the rehearsal at the point where I was to tell the groom he could lift his bride’s veil and kiss her I said, “At this time you will lift the bride’s train….” "Uhh...Veil!" In the strained silence, I mumbled a meek apology and everyone burst into laughter. But the words were already out there and I could not call them back. Was I humiliated? Big time. Afterward, the Lord spoke to me very clearly with these words of scripture in James 4:6, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” One day Jesus noticed the guests, at a banquet, choosing to sit in the places of honor. He cautioned his disciples not to choose the highest places, because someone more important than they might come in and the host would have to ask them to take a lower place. How humiliating! Then He went on to say that if you take a lower place, perhaps the host will invite you to move to a more prominent place, thereby honoring you. He concluded, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Lk. 14:11) It is dangerous for us to think that we are in a place which we can handle easily and that we do not need divine assistance. That is the very point at which you just might be humiliated. It is your choice, humble yourself or be humiliated! God loves you and wants you to become like Him. “Help me Lord, never to think of myself more highly that I ought to think and to always remember how the Lord Jesus humbled himself and became obedient even to the death on the cross. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
|
 |
 |
|