A picture is worth a thousand words... they say. I could literally write a thousand words about the one at the bottom of this page. Don't you love it when you are reminded once, twice... maybe even a third time about the same principle from God's word in different places or circumstances. Recently completing a great study by Karen Kingsbury called, "The Friends of Jesus", Karen used her creative storytelling to introduce her readers to six of Jesus' friends and their encounter or encounters with Jesus. John, the beloved disciple, brother to James, son of Zebedee, nicknamed a son of thunder, chosen by Jesus to care for his mother, Mary, from the cross... a definite friend to Jesus.
John, his brother James, and their mother came to Jesus with a reasonable question?! They simply asked to sit at the right and left hands of Jesus 'in His kingdom'. Jesus quickly let them know, that the decision of who sat where would be determined by God the Father.
The greatness question continued in Matthew 18, as the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven?" Jesus answered with a clear "object" lesson. He called a little child and had him stand among them. "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like a little child, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven."
There it is... humbleness... defined as 'low in rank, status, importance; not proud or arrogant'
So what does that really look like?
A day or two later, I was reading in Philippians chapter 2:
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature, God, do not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! "
It looks like Jesus - like an attitude of servanthood... always, every moment, every day... looking to God for everything in humble expectation for all things. Seeking His guidance, seeking His plan, Seeking His heart... looking intently toward Him...
And then... looking through boxes
there surfaced this picture...
He is a good, good Father - turn toward Him, take Him at His word, thank Him, trust Him, tell Him...
The link below is a great reminder of how He turns to you...
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