Nov 4 2024
"All Those Who Exalt Themselves Will Be Humbled & the Humble Will Be Exalted.” (Matthew 23)
Send us a text"Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those whohumble themselves will be exalted." And so, Jesus states a lawof life. Those who broadcast their amazingness will be humbled,since God dislikes--scorns that, as much as people do. For totrumpet our success, wealth, brilliance, giftedness or popularityis to get distracted from the purpose for which we were createdinto pointless, worthless activity. Those who love power, who are sure they know best, and who must be the best, will eventually behumbled by God and life. For their focus has shifted from lovingGod, doing good work, and being a blessing to their family, friends, and the world towards impressing others, being enviable, perhaps famous. These things are houses built on sand, which will crumblewhen hammered by the waves of old age, infirmity or adversity. God resists the proud, Scripture tells us--those who strivefor the admiration, attention and power which is His alonebut He helps the humble. So how do we resist pride? We slow down, so that we notice and repent when sheer pride sparks our allergies to people, our enmities, our determinationto have our own way, or our grandiose pride-driven goals, dreams and ambitions.Once we stop chasing limelight or showing off, a great quietnesssteals over our lives. We no longer need the drug of continual achievement, or to share memories or images of glittering travel, parties, prizes or friends. We just enjoy them quietly. My life is for itself, and not for a spectacle, Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote.And, as Jesus advises, we don’t sharp-elbow ourselves tothe most prominent place with the shiniest people, but are content to hang out with ordinary people, where we maylearn new things, and develop our character, kindness andempathy, if not our network. And then, as Jesus said, we will inevitably, eventually, be summoned higher to where, perhaps, the conversation is more heady and sparkling, or perhaps upwards to sit with those of a gentle, humble and radiant heart. So how do we cultivate humility? J I Packer suggests: “Considereverything you know about yourself. If other people knew it, would they esteem you? They would all think, ‘What a rascal!’So, why are you esteeming yourself better than anyone else?” One day, every knee will bow before the gentle lamb who was slain, now seated on the throne. We will all be silent before him. Let us live gently then, our eyes on Christ, continually asking for his power, his Spirit, and his direction, moving, dancing, in the direction that we sense him move. My memoir: Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India UK USA Blog: anitamathias.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anitamathiaswriter/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anita.mathias/Twitter : anitamathias1My book of essays: Wandering Between Two Worlds (US) and UK
