Proverbs 11:2

It is wise to be humble.

Working with the kindergarten thru second grade kids in Sunday School one day, we were talking about humility.  One of the main points we tried to convey to them was that we are all on the same level, all having disadvantages and opportunities provided for us.  God does not love me more than anyone else, even those who reject Him, for we are both (all) made in His image, are we not?

We all have the same access and opportunity to be close to God.  No one has a better or quicker way to God, for it is all thru Jesus and what He accomplished.  It is nothing we can attain ourselves.  So how can you possibly think you are better than anyone else?

Maybe you have taken advantage of what God has provided to live the abundant life.  If we are not watchful, we can start to feel, and then act, as tho we are superior, forgetting who got us there.

Any one of the other 7 billion people on the planet can also take advantage of the life God has provided, because Jesus made the same offer to each one of them.  You’re no better or more loved than anyone of them, just more joyful for accepting what someone else provided that you in no way on your own could have done.

Mark 14:36

“Daddy, Father, all things are possible for you.  Please take this extreme suffering away from me.  But-not what I want.  But what you want.”

This is probably the most honest and mature prayer ever.

God can do anything.  So why not ask to take away the bad and give the good?

Many times He does just that…if we only but ask Him.

However, if He does not answer that prayer affirmatively, the maturity is in trusting that He is infinitely good and knows what He is doing.  Then we comply, doing the good that is right in front of us to do, only ultimately wanting what He wants because we know it is best, no matter how it may look to us.  This is another level of trust that will bring forth immense joy and abundance of life.

Look where Jesus’ suffering took Him.  The Father knew what He was doing, tho it looked bleak and awful…

Oh the joy of ACCEPTANCE.