Advent

I had prayed for humility prior to and during my parents' visit, but knew there would be much temptation to get on my high horse of self-entitlement. I even decided I would meditate on Philippians 2 during the trip. Overall, God is faithful and I believe He has done a lot of work on my heart...but I also know there is so much more work to be done..and so much more submission needed on my part.

Towards the end of the trip, I was having a trip. Getting pretty huffy per usual (i hate to admit) when it comes to my family. I began enumerating the days, finger by finger...starting with my thumb. Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Today...Oh and there was Friday, too! i emphatically raised my left hand and stuck my left thumb out. Yep, that's 2 thumbs and 4 other fingers. That's...1 2 3 4 5 6 days of driving to and from Mill Creek! That's 6 hours of driving. That's like driving from Chicago to Ohio..or doing two round trips to Canada! Yeah..this is a good case. I was ready to spew my venom of self-righteousness and self-entitlement if I felt prompted. This was a good case...Yeah..especially the part about taking two round trips to Canada. That was my favorite. At the same time, I felt conflicted...the case I was reveling in my mind was battling the Holy Spirit reminding me to consider others more important than myself.

...I began to think about what it would be like if Jesus acted the way I do..or thought the way I did. I am to be an ambassador of Christ...to be a fragrance of life and grace to others. So, in other words, I'm thinking...about Jesus, hanging on the cross...telling me off about how He is God and deserves better. Telling me about how He's gone through 30 years (more than 10 fingers) of our pathetic human existence only to die the worst kind of death known to our pathetic existence.

[in case you're stuck in that world, thinking that Jesus is wagging his finger at you. Just thought I'd let you know...that that picture of an ungracious Christ is not real. It's a lie.]

30 years. I think for the first time in my life, I realize that Jesus lived our pathetic humble existence for 30 years. After being born of a virgin, He didn't go straight to the cross (duh). He lived 30 years of humility in flesh.

I'm basically dumbfounded at this point. And still am.

Jesus came in humility, as a babe, to save our undeserving asses.

I hope that changes your heart. I hope that it changes mine.

Merry Christmas. Soli deo gloria.