Center Stage

I'm not doing this for you. Get this through your thick heads! Ezekiel 36:32 (Msg)

I was visiting an elderly lady who was extremely hard of hearing. As we finished our conversation, I asked her if I could pray. She consented and I knelt down in front of her so she could hear me better. I bowed my head and offered up a heartfelt prayer, pouring out my heart to the Lord on behalf of this precious lady. As I said "Amen", I looked up and she said, "You are such a natural...". My heart just melted and I thought, Ahhh. Yes, this is where I am supposed to be. God is using me and has confirmed my being here. And then she finished her sentence. "You are such a natural....blonde, aren't you?" As I broke out in a chuckle, I realized she had been studying my scalp the entire time I was praying. She hadn't heard a word I said.

Humility is a great teacher! Have you ever caught yourself taking yourself a little too seriously? As I know that the God of the Universe loves me with an everlasting love, has given me an identity in Christ that doesn't quit, calls me Chosen, Friend and Beloved. I also know that He has shared these things with me for His glory. In Ezekiel 36, God is declaring to the Israelites that He will help them once again, despite their disobedience. The reason is an eye-opening reminder. He says, "I'm not doing this for you, Israel. I'm doing it for me, to save my character, my holy name...I'm going to put my great and holy name on display, the name that you blackened wherever you went. Then the nations will realize who I really am, that I am God, when I show my holiness through you so that they can see it with their own eyes." (v. 22-23)

We would be wise to remember that He alone has center stage.

Dear Lord, pour out on me a spirit of humility, remembering who You are and who I am. My desire is that everything about my life would point to You. Be glorified in me today. Amen.

Jocelyn Hamsher