humility – Trading Paper Crowns

Last night my three-year-old threw spaghetti across the room and when asked if he threw his dinner — he lied. He looked in my face and said, “no.”

Of course I saw his sauce slinging action and the messy red noodle sprawled out across the ottoman. But, somehow in his mind he thought he could get away with it.

Obviously we took the time to explain to him the difference between lying and telling the truth. Even though it is exhausting a lot of the times, it is so important for parents to take the time and explain these truths to their children.

This spaghetti incident made me ponder the question — how often do we present falsehoods to our Heavenly Father, hoping to get away with it?

We know full well — that our Maker sees us; yet we choose to cling on to that sin nature. We hide like Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden after they sinned – our postures noting “nothing to see here.” However, God knows – he sees our hearts and it grieves him when we decide to blanket ourselves in dishonesty.

No one is perfect. I mess up time and time again; and it’s beautiful that our Maker still loves us despite our failures. He loved us enough to die on the cross for us and the sin we carry. He loves us as we are; however, he calls us to live holy and pleasing lives.

Let’s make it a practice to come to the Father in honesty and humility acknowledging that apart from him we can do nothing. May we digest the truth – the only good in me is Jesus!

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. – Galatians 2:20

Our Heavenly Father loves us with an everlasting love. He will always embrace us and petition us to press on in his honesty and holiness.

This phrase hit me like a load of bricks. I absolutely love it especially in the culture we live in – the culture of instant stardom. We see pictures of beautiful movie stars online. These starlets or superhuman men grace the pages of the magazines or stand like a pristine statue on the runway.

They are graceful and elegant with their painted smiles and piercing eyes. But, honestly, what do we know about them? There are some stars that I’ve never even heard their voices. Being well known does not define your worth.

Your worth is defined by who you are inside – your personality, kind heart and desire to serve. This has nothing to do with outward appearance. Society has it messed up. it associates beauty and celebrity status with worth. Not so.

Jesus says in John 17:25,

‘O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me.’

This verse shows that the ‘world’ did not know the Father – the King of Kings. He was not Cesar. He did not have elaborate parties. He washed people’s feet and ate at the table of sinners. His heart was not fame focused but rather God focused.

Beautiful One – seek to be worth knowing rather to be well known. The actions you make today may not be splashed across magazines or proclaimed on news sites; but, your Father will take note of it in heaven.

The hungry man you feed or buy a sandwich for may go unnoticed here on earth; but God sees you. That song you sing to that bed bound elderly lady will not be posted on YouTube, but God hears it. The love you give to your family members and friends may not win an award – but your Maker notices.

May we seek to be people of humility – people truly worth knowing, unaffected by the limelight and the bright billboards of fame. Like moths, we are surely drawn to the flame but the flame of self gratification burns and destroys. Dear One, do not seek to be a star – because you already are one in the eyes of the Lord.

Sparkle and shine with the light of Christ. You live for an audience of one. Tabloids will last for a moment, but your character and love and will stand the test of time.