I think there is a significant point in everyone's life where they are keenly aware of the fact they have come to the end of their own strength. Somehow, somewhere they have taken something on which is bigger than themselves and have gotten themselves way in over their heads.
One of these moments for me was the winter of 2011. It was shortly after I became a mom of 3 kids under the age of 4. It was the winter where I had to come to terms with myself. I realized I didn’t have it all together like I thought. I wasn’t as strong as I thought I was. I didn’t have all the answers like I thought I did. I was not patient, kind, gentle, or calm. Parenting had become the most humbling experience of my life!
I had a choice to make over the winter; to be humbled, or to humble myself. Either, I could be crushed by my circumstance and live in survival mode until my children graduated high school and then I could get back to my own life.
OR
I could humble myself before the Lord, and trust He would lift me up. But humbling yourself hurts. In order to humble myself I would have to recognize two truths and bend my knee to them. First, my life wasn’t all about me. In fact, it was very little about me. My life, my call on my life, was now to invest in the next generation who was dwelling within the walls of my home. And secondly, in no way, shape, or form was I able to fulfill this call of duty in my own strength. I needed help from God. I needed God to shape my character so I could properly shape my childrens character. Let me tell you God had His work cut out for Him.
So if Humbling myself is so painful and by definition humiliating why in the world would I do it?
I did it, because of the promise. The promise found in John 12:24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels--a plentiful harvest of new lives. I could try to hold on to what I thought I wanted or I could plant my life in God’s hand and let Him turn it into a new and plentiful harvest.
His promise are true! I know this, for I have found my life in giving it up.
Is there something God is giving you the opportunity to lay down so He can pick it up and multiply it?
Let us study the character of Christ until our souls are filled with the love and admiration of His humility.
- Andrew Murray
Our Family Devotional Series!
Foundation of Character: Bearing Good Fruit enables busy families to build Godly character as they learn about and obtain the Fruits of the Spirit. Providing them with a home and a life filled with Love, Joy, and Peace.
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