agri.church

The spiritual disciplines help to root out those things in us that are not yet like Jesus. The discipline of service is no exception. While it helps to transform many things within us, perhaps the thing it most directly roots out is pride.

When pride has a grip on us we feel that we are better than other people and better than God (it’s amazing we fool ourselves into believing this is possible, but we do). And if there happens to be someone who we can admit is smarter or wealthier or better looking than us, pride will cause us to do everything possible to reverse the situation. The problem, of course, is that as long as there is one human being on the planet we will not stop until we have more than them. Pride is never satisfied.

So, how do we end this life-destroying-never-ending-competition? John Ortberg suggests that if we are to become servants we must first embrace our weaknesses and limitations. This is a hard thing to do in a narcissistic world, but it must be done. We must face who we are. We must come clean. If we don’t, pride’s roots will sink deeper and deeper into us.

So maybe today you need to confess to God that you are not God. Or maybe you need to tell a trusted friend or spouse - someone who can hold you accountable. Or maybe it’s you. Maybe you need to hear those words come out of your mouth.

Whoever you tell one thing is sure. We actually become stronger - more Christ-like - more fully human - when we admit our weaknesses. It’s a beautiful paradox.