WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO HUMBLE A MAN?
The fear of losing everything is not enough to bring a man to his knees.
Fear is inadequate. Overrated and misunderstood, fear provokes pride. Inner pride in dark, secret places. Pride that demands my right. It may not reveal it's bitter reflection at first, but in sunless chambers incubation can't help but produce it's defensive refuge of self preservation. Fear promotes false protection and deceptive strength.
Who am I really—but a vapor—protecting myself and my rights? This is a seriously ridiculous flaw in my thinking.
When I examine the Scriptures I undoubtedly discover God's holy omniscience. He is EL ROI, "The God who sees". The One who so mercifully gives me breath, the One who sustains all life. The God who sees all things.
Yet, the first and shortest question asked of man by God is this: "Ayeka?" "Where are you?" Oh, the penetrating brilliance of our Creator's rhetorical words, to cleverly shine light upon the inner strife of man's guilty shame and nakedness. Nevertheless, my thoughts focus on the one who hides. His name is Fear. Fear's need to hide is insistent and unyielding.
God surely giveth and He taketh away. If I lose all things by the Sovereign hand of my Author and Perfecter, who is it I contend with? Is it God Almighty?
No. I contend with my flesh.
I love me. And regardless of the degree I may despise this or that in myself, I can't help but think of me.
What I need.
What I want.
What I deserve.
The death of self is a grievous concept. To die willingly is most unnatural. It pushes against man's innate desire for self-preservation. If I fear losing my rights, my life, I find myself gripping tighter still, to all that is comfortable, self-serving and obedient to my will.
What does it take to humble a man?
Fear is no match for pride.
The answer is love.
Sincere, devout, sacrificial love.
Reverent love.
A love that knows no fear.
A love so strong and selfless, willing to face the cost of all loss, hands freely open, arms stretched wide.
Within the convoluted layers of my heart, the Spirit of Truth, in meekness and severe honesty, exposes precisely what I deserve.
Death.
O LORD, I need Your grace to die to self, so that love may live.
““Whoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”