We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Phil Woody.
Bible Reading:
1 Peter 5:5-6
“5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you...“
Word:
My wife is my best advocate and cheerleader. She’s also my best needle. What’s a needle? It’s someone who knows you so well, that they can pop a swollen head when you don’t even know it’s three times larger than it was a day, minute, and even second ago.
At the box yesterday, (from when I write this) we were doing a 20 minute alternating EMOM; double unders and pull-ups. After going unbroken for the whole 20 minutes I called out a big, “Whoooo!” I then began to flex for her, and everyone else in the room.
Most of it was a joke, everyone knowing my personality. However, my wife in a sarcastic tone, you know the one where you speak as if to a child, says, “You did such a good job babe, such a stud!” In that moment I was instantly made aware of something that was lurking beneath what I was intending as a joke….a hint of arrogance.
Arrogance is not often overt. Yes, we see it instantly in a few, but it lurks beneath the surface in all of us and must be dealt with. Arrogance isn’t confidence. Confidence is walking in your chosenness that Ephesians 4 speaks of. It’s knowing who you are in Christ and not needing accolades of others because your God sees you. It’s knowing you’re not only approved of, but celebrated by the King so you don’t need the praise of men.
Chosenness is not needing to be the leader of the moment or even the center of it, but finds joy in making others the center of a moment. Arrogance needs promotion in order to feel important, but chosenness is content with the position God has given us, that of chosen servants of the king called to love and serve others into the same kingdom we live in.
Prayer:
Jesus. Give me the holy confidence to put down all my defenses and face any hint of arrogance in my life. I surrender them all to be your man/woman who walks in grace but lives in holy authority. Your kingdom come and your will be done my Savior, King, and Lord.
Skillwork:
Give permission to the needles in your life who know and love both God and you. Allow their voice to make you aware when confidence leaks over into arrogance. God cannot and will not use the arrogant but he loves using those who walk in holy confidence!
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