God opposes the proud
We have a problem. Our minds are fragmented. Our hearts, divided. Our communities, fractured. We are coming apart at the seams. The people of God who I encounter have lives that seem to grow increasingly more disintegrated by the day. Our media continues to overload our senses with messages that splinter our souls and short circuit our hearts with a pointedness that seems to zero in on our weakest points.
I’m saddened by the beleaguered responses of the so-called saints, who’d seemingly rather fight for table scraps at a table that’s never been set for them than to allow their souls to be transformed by the love of Christ. Instead of entering into the way of the cross, they join the battle with spears that were never meant for fighting – the banner of their kingdom vision usurping the true Kingdom of Heaven, whose King is Love.
The only way out of this cycle of destruction is by way of the cross. The irony of a community that is so very hellbent on preserving the “way” is that by doing so it actually marches ever towards a horrific and seemingly worthless death, whereas if this community would be willing to lay down the “way” (unto death), they’d undoubtedly find themselves marching towards real and true life. The deception of the enemy knows no bounds. Our eyes are continually invited to look towards a false promise that will gut our souls and leave us gaunt. The battle to keep one’s eyes ever on truth is, to be sure, a wearying battle.
But He gives grace to the humble.
Perhaps this is why, throughout the centuries, the grace of humility is so often addressed. For unless the Church is clothed in humility, death will become her. Ultimately, we have two choices: we continue to grope for what the world hails as power and influence, which ultimately leads to death and ultimately powerlessness, or we take the path to a death that leads to perfection and is a vehicle for the power of God to do transformative work in and around our world.
A surrendered life is the only way we’ll see real integrative life blossom in us and those around us.
The. Only. Way.
A surrendered life, though, is a life that gives up desires, glory, and power unto the Lord so that He may bear fruit in us and through us.
God undoubtedly opposes the proud. But as the Scriptures say, he gives grace abundantly to the humble. May we, the Church, readily receive His grace.