“Humble yourselves . . and He will lift you up.” James 4:10 NIV
“Coming into the Kingdom of God requires leaving a lot of other stuff outside.”
My thoughts today consider “upside down or rightside up?”
The way up is best discovered on the path down. Sounds improbable, doesn’t it? Self-promotion is what seems inherent to us, not self-demotion. Getting ahead is the way onward and upward, so you are led to believe. The corporate ladder, upward mobility, social climbing, business networking, name recognition, doctored resume, and family pedigree: aren’t those the things taught in World Changers 101?
And then, Jesus comes into your world and turns everything upside down – the last shall be first, the greatest is servant of all, the meek inherit the earth, love your enemies, turn the other cheek, go the second mile, become as a little child, the weak are strong, you are blessed when persecuted, and do not return evil for evil. What’s that all about? Who does that anyway? Is Jesus out of touch with today’s realities? I mean that was a different time and a different place, wasn’t it, and that wasn’t even the norm then!
The disciples understandably had a hard time with that. Coming into the Kingdom of God requires leaving a lot of other stuff outside. They spent too much time arguing over who would enjoy the places of prominence at Jesus’ right and left hand. At the Passover meal, without a second thought or twinge of conscience they stepped over the servant’s bowl and towel for foot washing. They had to unlearn a lot of ways that come as naturally for us, as those bad habits did for them. Read Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV.
The shortest distance between you and God’s will is doing life God’s way! “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up . . be down to earth with each other, for God has had it with the proud, but takes delight in just plain people. So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; He’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; He is most careful with you.” James 4:10 NKJV/1 Peter 3:5-7 The Message.
In less than flattering terms, their critics described the first century Christ-followers this way after the Holy Spirit filled their lives, “These that have turned the world upside down have come here also.” Acts 17:6 ESV. I will admit that the Jesus’ way seems upside down to every natural way of thinking, but I suggest this for your consideration: maybe the ways of the Kingdom have been, and always will be the right way, and those early Kingdom evangelists were merely turning their world right-side up!
The Bible reminds you, “Promotion does not come from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. God is the judge: He puts one down and sets up another.” Psalm 75:6-7.
My prayer for you today is: know and rest in the promotion that comes from God.