October 16, 2020

Rhonda Patterson
“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi’, for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father’, for you have one Father and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called ‘teacher’, for you have one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Matthew 23:8-12

Earlier this week, we touched on humility being the gateway to maturing in Christ. This passage (and so many more) reveals that it’s kind of a big deal to God. Some of my deepest failures in life led me to embrace this truth, “It was good for me that I was humbled, so that I might learn your statues.” Psalm 119:71 NRSV. God means what He says. What I’ve learned to treasure is that whatever God’s word teaches me…on anything…is so trustworthy. When my thoughts, ideas, beliefs or agendas don’t line up with His, it’s time for me to backtrack to the place I departed and realign with the all-knowing One…to hear His “Attagirl” is pure joy to me. To surrender in humility to His way is the very best thing you can do for yourself and others.