Humility Will Get You Exalted!

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”   Luke 14:11

Humility is not the most fun thing to ponder BUT, it is one of the most important!  I have been humbled before for my own good, but it was a very humiliating experience!  The Lord reminds me of these times when I begin to think more of myself than I should!   I went to school with someone, who I will just call Joe (not the real name).  I woke up this morning and this person's name popped into my mind before I ever got out of bed. The Lord reminded me of a tremendous gift and ability He had given to Joe.  This person is truly gifted academically beyond anything I have ever seen.  From time to time this person puts brain teasers on FB for others to figure out, all the while he knows the answer and will tell you the answer at the end of the day.  Usually it is fun and the comments enjoyable to read.  Though I am NOT a math person, it thrills me to see just how intricately his brain works and how it never sounds arrogant.  What was so odd about it today was arrogance was there.  Not full out in your face, but the hint of an arrogant undertone.  At first it just sort of peeved me.  How dare anyone exalt themselves I thought!  We only know and can do what we do because God has given us the talent.  It is to be used to glorify Him!  As I began to think on this I remembered God awakening me with this man on my mind.  That is always a call to pray for someone!  Sin is so sneaky.  It begins to birth itself in our minds and it seems everyone can see our downfall before we do. It is truly a trap set for us so that we do not rise to spiritual and physical heights God has planned for us.  It is so important to pray that those traps be exposed so that the one we are praying for can see it, avoid it, and be promoted instead of demoted!    As I thought about Joe today, I am sure he does not even recognize how he sounded or how it made him look.  Nobody is wrong on purpose.  Today, I pray for Joe and ask God to remit this sin that is trying to creep into his life.  As I do so, I feel the love of God beginning to flow back into my own life!   I, too ate of pride in taking what Joe was doing personally and judging him.   We are called to judge the fruit, not the person!!   One of my favorite movies is a Christmas movie called "Silent Night" with Linda Hamilton.  It is a true story of some German and American soldiers calling a truce to honor and celebrate Christmas together.  There is a line in the movie that says, "A little humility is a good thing."  A little does go a long way!!  Thank God for promotion, but thank God also for humility that will take you "a long way."   Have a blessed day, all day my friend!  :)