- Since the beginning of John, I've been impressed with how much he lowers himself and gives all glory to Jesus. Starting in the first chapter in verse 15, John stated, "He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me." In our second day of reading, priests and Levites asked him, "Who are you? Are you Elijah? Are a you a prophet?" He (v. 19) "confessed freely, 'I am not the Christ.'" John only replied in verse 23, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'" John was the one born first, yet he always made Jesus first--no questions, no complaints.
- Everyone knows I always picture myself as a princess, and though we all are princes and princesses, sometimes I forget that I'm only royalty because Jesus is King. I've noticed, particularly this week, that I had been acting selfishly. I've realized that I'm not as selfless as I thought I was. Trying to live as if I can do everything and figure out everything by myself, I've almost forgotten to rely on God. In fact, I'm so much into myself that it's starting to get sickening, not just to myself, but moreso to the people around me. I know I might be called a hypocrite for writing this blog. To this day, I'm still trying to let go of myself. It's not easy.
- I think most of us here have spent a great deal of time in front of people. I know Grace and I are fond of performing on stage, and Justin and I both play in church band. Though it's your job to entertain people in a stage play, it's different when you're leading worship. I've got to admit I struggle with pride while playing. At first, I try to focus my heart and mind on worshiping God. Then, I get concerned whether or not I'm playing the right chords. Eventually, someone new or someone good-looking walks in, and I am so concerned with impressing them. Finally, I'm completely sidetracked and, afterward, begging God for forgiveness before taking the Lord's Supper. I hate things to be that way. I don't want to be fighting myself during worship time, then asking for forgiveness afterward, every Sunday. This is why I totally agree with my favorite Bible character, Paul: "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do (Romans 7:15)."
- I wish I could be like John: "He must become greater; I must become less (John 3:30)," or maybe I should quit wishing and start doing. Yeah, that's a better idea.
8 comments:
I know it's been a while since we've had a challenging question, but this is all I can think of:
Has anyone ever felt the same way as me?
Totally!!! I am so with you about impressing human, instead of who I really should be impressing: God. Especially lately I've been realizing how much I think about "Grace" and what "Grace" wants. This is one of the things I have most trouble with. I remember that song "Make me a servant, humble and meek. Lord let me lift up those who are weak." That's what I want to be...what God wants me to be.
Agreed! You hit really the nail on the head. Getting up on stage is a position which requires humility and is indeed something I have struggled with before.
Now, here's another question:
How can you balance out confidence and pride?
Hmmm.... Good question, do you know the answer?
(~.^)
You know...I know it's hard, but I think the secret is to remember who you are. Remember that you are saved, that God is for you (that covers the confidence part), and remember that you do all things for God's glory and without Christ, you can do nothing. (that covers the pride part).
I think the problem is also the mind. Our mind tends to wander off (especially mine, very easily).
Hey, Justin, is there anything special you do to keep your focus on Christ during worship?
I think I consider the nothingness part, that I'm just a tool in God's hands.
Yeah, I think the key is to settle it in ourselves. Thanks!
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