Face Down

One of the things I want to make clear is that when I address Christians in my posts as "we" that I am always included. I never want to be viewed as pointing fingers at anyone. No one has suggested that to me as such, but I wanted it to be understood. These lessons are as much for me as they are for anyone else.

My last post Revive Us LORD! was again on pride. This is such a huge issue. Over the last few years God began gradually exposing my pride and stripping me of self sufficiency. This has been a painful process. For those of you who don't know....I am an only child. If you know anything about research on birth orders you may understand that as an only child or first born the personality traits are things like leadership, perfectionists, strong willed etc.

These traits describe me to a "T". I am extremely strong willed and have been from an early age. My mom has often referred to stories of my toddler years when trying to help me with certain things I would refusingly scream, "ME DO IT". These words define my life in a nut shell. "Step aside please-I can do it" and "I don't need your help, I am perfectly capable" were common statements for me. Do those statements describe you too?

I have to admit, this personality type can get me in a lot of trouble. There is no humility wrapped up in that kind of attitude. Don't get me wrong- we need people with leadership skills and that are strong willed. These qualities are all God given and a part of His plan. However, if we are not careful we may forget where our help comes from. Luke 18:14 says, for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

"Listen to what Chris Tiegreen says in his book "At His Feet". "Pride denies sin is a problem and it exalts self and self effort. It denies a need for God and refuses His help; it attributes accomplishments to human ability rather than God's gifts; and it completely undermines God's effort to display His grace to the world." God began to open my eyes to this issue. I have always been so independent that I never saw my need for God's help. However like I said, God began to strip me of my self sufficiency, showing me that He has ownership over me and how much I was in need of Him. This was so hard at first but now I see how wonderful it is to trust and rest in the arms of a loving God.

My learning is not over. Just last week God showed me yet more pride. When I least expected, it just kind of crept up into my life. I was under such conviction, that face down at His feet was the only posture I could find. I began quickly confessing that sin and asking for forgiveness. God definitely humbled me but in that posture was where I found God and He was faithful to lift me up. You may find yourself sensing God pointing out pride and sin. Join me today face down at the feet of Jesus. There is no better place to be.

I want to close with a quote from William Bridge.
"If you lay yourself at Christ's feet, He will take you into His arms."

I would love to hear from you all. Please send me a post on how God is working in your life.