Message in the Mirror
Over the years I have literally read thousands of quotes, phrases, and writings concerning Spiritual Growth, Leadership, or Self-Improvement. Many of those have become ingrained in my mind and heart. And many of those I have shared with others to encourage them or build them up.
There is one particular quote that has outlasted almost all others in its impact on my life and behavior. At a least expected moment in time and a least expected place - my eyes captured this simple and short quote. I was actually going to take a shower in a family members home one weekend. While the shower was warming, I glanced over at the mirror and saw a small slip of paper taped to it. It was a hand-written note. Here's what it said:
"Humility is not making less of yourself but making more of others"
That was a complete eye-opening and heart changing moment. It truly through the Life and Actions of Jesus into perfect perspective. Jesus in reality did not say "Woe is me, I'm not worthy of all that I have and am" Instead - He said the world and all of mankind is where my heart and actions are.
Here's what scripture says:
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
What Jesus did was all about others. He could have stayed with God the Father in Heaven as the Supreme Creator of All things - but no, He kept His identity and fulfilled His mission of making more of others that those who would put their faith in Him would not perish but have everlasting life.
It's our opportunity and mission to not make less of ourselves but make more of others.
There Is a Time to Start Again 2-20-26
With every new day, we all have an opportunity to "Start Again". If you are like me, tomorrow seems always to have greater outlook on actually starting again today.
Have you ever read the story of the Prodigal Son in the Bible (Gospel of Luke)? Here's a quick synopsis of the story.
A man had two sons - the younger one wants to try his hand at life on his own. The Father gave him is all that was entitled to him and the boy set off. Not too long during his journey - he found himself wasting all he had going to parties, having his way with women, and gambling. Well, after a short while of these activities he had NOTHING. Nowhere to stay, no food to eat, and no family or friends.
He found himself living in a pig pen - with the pigs! Finding himself with nothing - he began sleeping and eating with the pigs. This is where the story is really good. Scripture says "He came to his senses". If there is a Key Element in the process of Starting Again - it's Coming to Our Senses. When he did, he realized what he had left behind at His Father's House and decided to go home. The next sentence in the Scripture is where Starting Again becomes REAL. The Scripture sentence says: "He got up and went". Every time I read that sentence, I begin to cry. Why? I've been there; I've done that. I know the pain of being away from the Father, and I know the joy of returning home.
If you are "away from where you should be" then Get Up and Go. Don't waste time, don't rationalize the away the decision, don't be scared - Get up and go. Start Again. Start Again now, today, this very moment. It's not too late, You're not too far gone. Starting Again is at your doorstep. Get Up and Go.
Bernie
bernie@cafe41.org
Scripture Reference
Luke 15:11-32 NIV - The Parable of the Lost Son - Jesus - Bible Gateway
Coming to Our Senses
Our Senses can often fool us. I know, I have followed them to some crazy places and activities. When I was a kid - my senses told me to ride my bike to an underground culvert then walk inside to find treasures. The only treasure I found was painful discipline from my dad.
In the beginning of my college experience, my senses were telling me try a little alcohol - needless to say - that did not end well either. We just can't trust OUR senses.
What does the Bible say about trusting our senses. Well, let's start with this. Jesus made a powerful statement saying -
“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those
who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29 (NIV)
Seeing is just one of our senses that we trust - often that will deceive us our perhaps limit how far we will go. Many times, there is more to experience that what our eyes (senses) will show us. We often hear things or advice from someone - that can't always be trusted.
In the previous post, we saw where the Prodigal Son trusted his senses (his thoughts) to move on from the Father's House to do his own thing. Well, that did work out like he "thought". To get him back on the right road he had to his senses. Let me ask you, is there an idea, a thought, or perhaps a decision that you are undertaking that is based only on YOUR SENSES?
God can speak to you to clarify your senses through 4 avenues:
- First of all - Reading His Word - The Bible. It is His most tangible way of revealing TRUTH to you.
- Second - The Church - No, not that building down the street, but the collective group of Christian Believers that meet at a location that in turn can clarify the decision(s) that you are making.
- The Holy Spirit - The most important element of your existence. God gave you a part of Himself to guide you, comfort you, encourage you, teach you, promote you, and clarify your senses.
- Last way - Your Experiences. God can and does use your past experiences to help you make right choices. Sometimes we recall, sometimes we won't. Personal History is a grand way to keep on the right track and doing the right things.
Today - Take a moment to shake down your senses. Clear out the personal cobwebs of self-reliance and seek the truth of what to do or say. Not every "sense" that you have can always be trusted.
Thanks for reading - have a grand day. Bernie
bernie@cafe41.org
2-21-26