The Right Attitude

1PE 5:5b-6 NIV

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”    Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

The picture that Peter paints for us here is apt for this season of favour that God has opened for us. For as many as would desire to see God work in their lives, there are certain attitudes and traits we just must have and develop. One of the most important is humility. The word looks simple and commonplace, but it is amazing to know just how hard it is to identity and attain. Man, by human nature, defines his worth by the value of what he possesses, rather than by whose he is. We see man stylishly measuring himself by worldly standards, striving to match and possibly attain and surpass another man in display of status and wealth. We see men steal billions, yet are not satisfied with what they hold. We see men strive to acquire degrees and titles, so that the world would reckon with them and call them great. While these things are not bad in themselves, the foundation of our motives for seeking them matters to God. Today's extract seeks to redirect our focus and pursuits to the things that truly matter.

God opposes the proud. If nothing else frightens you, please let this caution you. If a million people gather to help you, and God is against you, then you are in trouble. It doesn't matter what you do, as long as the basis is pride, God will fight you. If God is for you, and a billion people gather to oppose you, go and sleep. When you wake up, the battle would have been over. The danger of pride is that it shifts focus away from the potter and moves it to the clay. The question is: which one is more important? Does the clay tell the potter what it is to be used for, or can it tell the potter exactly how it must be molded or where it is to be used? Is it not the potter that determines the how, the where and the why of the clay- how it is to be used, where it is to be used and why it is to be molded in the first place? At no time does God consult us before determining our purpose and equiping us for the assignment he has given us, so how can we dare to be proud about his gifts? How can we ever think that we are better than anyone else? Are we not all clay in his hands?

If you want God to exalt you, your life must show forth his power. He is seeking men whose lives will reflect his glory and praise; men who have emptied themselves of all achievements and are seeking how God alone can be glorified in their lives. If you want God to lift you up on his own terms and in his own way, then you must empty yourself of anything and everything that will lead to pride. He is all that matters, because it is his gifts in you that make you unique. The vessel is a privilege; the contents is the message of God to the world. Live his message; the world will seek him through you. His time of favour is here.