Reflections from July 20, 2010

Today we read in Luke 18:14, "...everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

The story Jesus told was of the Pharisee and the tax collector who went to the temple. The Pharisee was proud, almost haughty. He prayed to God, "Thank you that I'm not like others." He spoke of his tithes, his praying, his fasting, and on and on. On the other hand, the tax collector simply asked for God's mercy on him as a sinner.

When you start comparing yourself to others as the Pharisee did, you are walking on shaky ground. You end up with an identity that is based on others, not on yourself. Thus, you can never be sure about yourself on those terms. When a person comes along that is better than you, your prayer almost becomes null and void! Not only that, other people will avoid you because you have an air of superiority about you and you're finding fault in others.

By contrast, the tax collector looked to God to see himself. What he saw was a sinner, but he also looked to God for forgiveness and restoration. He saw his true identify because it was revealed by God who is only truth. God's work at revealing ourselves to ourselves will result in us seeing our identity based on honesty and becoming more like Christ.

Blessings to all