The Trouble with Me

Dear Father,

Please help me that I, " don't act out of selfish ambition or be concieted. Insted, humbly think of others as being better than myself" (Phil. 2:3). Those words are permanentaly attached to the bulletin board in my office. They are a reminder for me not to get too big for my britches (one of my most serious character flaws).

I used to work with a man who told me, "If you don't blow your own horn, no one else will either." This man taught me a lot, but he was dead wrong about this. There are two seriously flaws with self-promotion. First, nobody really wants to hear us brag about ourselves. It is irritating and annoying. Second, when we become self-consumed, no one else wants to brag on us either.

Let me give you an example. When my children tell me how great they are - my initial response is to bring them back to reality (i.e. don't get too full of yourself). On the other hand when they are humble, contrite, and self-deprecating I can't wait to tell the world how wonderful they are.

Remember what Jesus said about the Pharisees and their long, loud, ostentatious prayers, or fasting to be seen of men - "they have their reward" (Luke 6:16, 17).

We are involved in a great work together for God. We don't have to sound the trumpet before us. We don't have to tell the world that we are the best, that we have the answers, that the sun rises just for us. Emerson was right when he said, "build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door."

If we do God's work, in God's way - He will recieve the glory.