A Turtle on a Fencepost

Tuesday's elections brought a ton of hubris into full view in our politicians. The winners are crowing like roosters on a bright morning, acting as if they are about to usher in a perfect age. The losers are spinning, desperately trying to convince us all it did not really happen. 

 What's hubris?  "Excessive pride or self-confidence, arrogance," is the definition! 

Oh, for some humility. Oh that they would be 'public servants' not just in name, talking and listening, working not just for the next election but for the good of the nation.

Hubris is a common human sin! Success is a dangerous thing for most of us because we tend to forget God's blessings as well as those who helped us along the way. 

 Have you heard about the 'turtle on the fencepost?'  Somebody wisely pointed out that "if you spot a turtle sitting atop a fencepost, you know it didn't get there by itself."

Humility is a character trait that must be cultivated. 

Pride makes us an enemy of God, who will not share His glory or authority! "Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (1 Peter 5:5, NIV)  We live in a culture where the proud are often admired, at least for their power and influence.  Scripture teaches us that God, the Almighty, is near to those who remember that they are fragile, as well as those who have been crushed by life. "The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: "I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts."(Isaiah 57:15, NLT)

Impressed with yourself?  Or, hiding out in a kind of reverse pride that causes you to protect yourself from all possible risk of criticism? Humility, true submission to the Lord and His purposes, is the answer.  The Word asks, "Who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?" (1 Corinthians 4:7). And then offers, this counsel,  "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."(Philippians 2:3)

 Hubris or humility? What will it be? 

Take the wisdom of Jesus with you today as you meditate on this word from the Word. "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3-4, NIV)  
__________

I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice

And it told Thy love to me.

But I long to rise in the arms of faith

And be closer drawn to Thee.

Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,

By the pow'r of grace divine.

Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope

And my will be lost in Thine.

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,

To the cross where Thou hast died.

Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,

To Thy precious bleeding side.

Fanny Jane Crosby | William Howard Doane

© Words: Public Domain