In a world driven by slogans that promise you that can “Have it Your Way,” “You’re Number One,” “Just Do It,” and “You’re Worth It,” why do we live in a world where people are still so lost and empty?
I’ve had it my way, I’ve been number one, I’ve just gone ahead and done it and I’ve always thought I was worth it. None of those actions or thoughts got me any closer to happiness. In fact, I never felt farther from the satisfaction, contentedness, and the peace I was after than when I served myself.
As a Christian Educator, I taught children and reminded them, as I often need to remind myself, that we have two choices in life: please God or please self. We live in a black and white; up and down; hot and cold; accept or reject kind of world: there is no in between. God made it that way. We have a choice.
When we come to the end of our selves, we discover a powerful thing called humility. I’ve met many people who innately have the ability to be genuinely humble: that’s just who they are. Unfortunately, that is where the power begins and ends for them. I’ve also met those humble people that look like a beautiful apple tree from far away: shiny red delicious juicy apples. The trees that make you want to come in closer and enjoy the beautiful fruit on the vine, only to get up close and find out their a crab apple tree: ugly, bitter, and deceiving. True humility cannot be manufactured just like a crab apple can’t pretend to be a red delicious apple.
I write this blog because I’ve been challenged as a Christian woman to examine my heart. The things that move me, the desires that drive me, and the gifts I’ve been given. I am grateful for the peace that comes from knowing I am the daughter of the King, but I often wrestle with the enemy of my flesh: me. We all want the best in life and pursue good things. Certainly, God created us for His blessings: we are His creation, His children, and He loves us. He tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 that he has plans for us, to prosper us, and not to harm us, but to give us a future and a hope.
As I meditate on His word, I realize that the prosperity He gives me comes from and broken and contrite heart that lives by faith. A humble heart that lives in such way that He receives all of the glory: a life of true service in giving, not just in service to others, or in tithing, but giving of self to go where He leads and surrender all my dreams and desires to His divine plan. His ways are so much higher than my ways. To please God rather than self is where true peace is found. There is freedom in understanding that humility is not “thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” True humility is not weakness: it is power under control.
The picture in this post was taken several years ago by my camera (no funny business). It was day when my heart was full and the Spirit of God was upon me. We, some friends of ours and my husband, drove over a hill. As we shared our faith and love for God, this celestial being appeared before us. My eyes were intently gazing at the figure outlined in the clouds. I was mesmerized. I couldn’t look way. How much more should I pursue the Lover of My Soul who loves me and died for me.
I can’t tell you that I have “arrived” but I can tell you that I’m in the race with greater passion, stamina, and vigor than I’ve ever had. No sidelines for this Child of God! I am His and He is mine.
(Note: Some of the content is inspiration from Pastors who have shared God’s word with me through out the years and presently. In addition, a book written by Jim Berg titled “In His Image.” )
V. Gonzales 