I read a story this morning by Max Lucado about a young boy who came home after tryouts for the school play. The story goes that when he came home he said, "Mommy, mommy, I got a part. I've been chosen to sit in the audience and clap and cheer." A funny little story but it brings home a point that we sometimes miss in life. Sometimes we forget that life is not about us.
The ultimate test of learning if our lives are mainly about ourselves, is to think back over the times when you were not chosen to be the main character but your job was to cheer and clap for others who were chosen to be the lead. At times we need to take inventory and ask ourselves - when someone gets the praise are we the ones giving praise or sitting back resentful that we were not mentioned or picked to be in the spotlight?
The Bible tells us to humble ourselves before the Lord and He will lift us up (James 4:10). As we live with genuine humility our Father guarantees that He will lift us up. You see self-promotion is always a dead end street. Self-promotion reveals pride and instead of our Father lifting us up, the Bible tells us that a fall always follows pride. Today you get to choose - humility or pride. You get to choose - self-promotion or God's promotion. Knowing you, I believe you'll chose humility.
Don't forget that throughout December Muscle Maker Grill will give Traction 15% of what you spend for your meal. This is a great way to eat right and invest in the Kingdom. Traction is going to be outstanding this year as Ginny Owens, who is blind, is being used by God to touch lives. I'll be looking for you at Muscle Maker throughout this month as it's one of my favorite places to grab lunch.
Enjoy the Christmas season and remember to share with others why you celebrate Christmas,
Pastor Carl