Humility

Psalm 145:14 - "The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down."

We live in a me-first-climb-to-the-top-at-any-expense culture. We want instant gratification and all our problems to be solved in less than 30 minutes (just like on TV). We complain when our microwave dinner takes five minutes instead of three, and truly believe that our needs are what is most important in life. How tragically far we have fallen...

Despite our mad dash to the finish line of human achievement, we come up short - way short. We are more stressed, more worried, more tired, and just more everything - except more satisfied. We are less satisfied than ever. In our own efforts we continue to fail, falling face first into the heap of lost dreams and discontent. Where is our hope? What can be done to live a truly content life?

Did you know that our repeated failures are no surprise to God? In spite of what some of us may feel, God did not cast His gaze upon us today and upon seeing our most recent misstep gasp in astonishment as if He didn't know we were capable of falling. He KNOWS we fall. In fact, because we are prone to fall He provided salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. And He gives us a way to be restored to honor in His presence through adopting an attitude of humility.

Humility is the key to unlocking intimacy with God. Only the humble in heart are allowed into the inner sanctuary of fellowship with the Creator. He reserves a special honor for those whose heart is bowed down before Him. What a privilege to know that as we "draw near to God, He will draw near to [us]." But what a challenge it is to focus heart and mind on bowing down. This takes time, silence, patience, and stillness. We must saturate our minds with the truth of God's Word and listen to His still, small voice inviting us ever closer to His radiant presence.

As you find yourself encased in the pounding urgency of the rat race, I invite you to take a moment to bow down before your Maker. And when you fall, be encouraged that God sees beyond your failures and looks upon your heart. If your heart is bowed down before Him, He promises to raise you up.

Bowed low,

jonathan