May 16, 2019

May 16

Running with Jesus  

Luke 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

     "Oh it is hard to be humble when you are perfect in every way. I can’t wait to look in the mirror cause I am getting better every day!" The words of this old song darted through my mind when I read this parable!  We are not running around with humble people! It is me, myself, and I. If we don't get our way and don't get the best seats in the house, it is whine, whine, whine!

     Jesus was invited to go to the house of a Pharisee and the next two days we will hang out with them.  We will see them squirm at the parables Jesus tells them. We better watch judging them because we will find ourselves squirming! 

      “Humble” is an admirable quality not many people possess. It means that a person may have accomplished a lot, or be important but doesn't feel it is necessary to advertise or brag about it! Jesus teaches a big lesson on being humble and thinking of others rather than self.  Self likes to run the show in our lives. The truth is you really will never know true joy until you step out of self and into others. Jesus is the perfect role model of servant-hood and should be ours personally.  He was always healing, helping and serving others. In the parable today he tells us not to lift ourselves up but he will lift us up at the right time and place.

      I think of Joseph in the Old Testament who learned to be humble no matter where he was a servant in the palace or in a prison cell. He helped others, then gained favor with those in authority of those over him. Later, he was lifted to second position under the Pharaoh! It was at just the right time and as a result, saved his own family.  Another scripture tells us to not let our right hand know what the left hand is doing to help with humility. Someone said, “Do a deed, then forget it”! Both are great advice that will help us keep the right attitude toward ministry. 

Father,  thank You for daily helping us as we keep running through life and making a path for our feet and a lamp to light the way.  We want to be effective as we do kingdom work.  Help the mind that is in You be in us. 

     Let's see how many kind acts of service we can do today silently. Remember forget them when you do one! Hey, start in your house shock your family! 

Tomorrow: Who gets invited to your banquets!

 Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015