Yesterday is Ash Wednesday, the start of of Lent. Here’s something to think about today…

The hi’s and the low’s… that is how we read the weather report. So in most of life relationships, we all have our ups and downs.

One hi and low issue I often struggle with in life is that of pride and shame. What is common to these two is ego: the self. Pride is self-worthiness and shame is self-worthlessness. Both come from seeking people’s approval: either found or lost. They are not the true self – not what God created me to be.

In the NT, there are two records of God speaking to Jesus about Jesus. One was when Jesus was baptized. The other was when He was transfigured.

“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”

Jesus started his ministry with God’s words of affirmation. He heard it again before going the way of the cross. His ministry on earth was grounded on God’s approval. His journey to the cross was the same. There was no pride and no shame because the ultimate truth is that Jesus is God’s Beloved Son, in whom God is well-pleased.

God created me in His own Image. I am His beloved. No praise of men should make me proud nor their disapproval shame me. There is nothing I need to do to earn His approval. There is nothing about me that He is ashamed of.

“If you believe you are the beloved of God, you need to spend time listening to his voice, period! You can’t say God calls me His beloved, but I have got to go out and do something now.” ~ Henri Nouwen

pride #humility #servanthood of #Jesus #humble and #meek