The Narrow Line

How narrow the line is that separates giving the glory to God for our blessings and talents and personally taking the credit for our own success. I was thinking today about how Satan has seemed so strong in my life while putting together this book/curriculum on the Principles of Parenting. I was thinking how, here I am trying to honor the Lord with this book and yet so many things are attacking the progress and my own walk with the Lord. So what are they? Well, often I have thought that I am a good mom. I am organized, strong-willed, independent, mostly controlled, and consistent. I know my weaknesses too, however, in thinking about it this morning I realized that I have no problem kneeling before the Almighty God to ask Him for his help where I am weak. This comes very easy to me. Therefore, Satan knows that he will not win in this area. Then I asked myself another question, "how often do I go before the Lord and ask him for help in the areas that I am strong? How often do I quickly sway from giving him the glory to feeling good about myself? How often do I go from giving Him the credit to taking it upon myself?"

This is what I must die to. In 1 Corinthians 15:31, Paul states, "I affirm by the pride in you that I have in Christ Jesus our Lord: I die everyday!" Christ said the same thing, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23). I feel mostly like my cross is not filled with all the areas that I am weak but what weighs it down are all the areas where I am strong. I have to take up this cross and decide that it is NOT by my might; it is NOT by my strength but through Christ that I can do all things (Philippians 4:13). Jesus said, "apart from me you can do NOTHING" (John 15:5). Well then, how can I ever take credit for anything that I do? Everything is from the Lord. If apart from Him I can do nothing then I know that even my easiest task, my most common, natural action would be difficult, if not impossible, if the Lord did not allow it so. What am I thinking ever taking the credit for my strengths or talents. He allows them, he gives, and sure enough he can take them away! Satan doesn't have to work hard where we are weak, we already do a good enough job at not going to the Lord and looking to him to help us. But, Satan knows that often we will dishonor the Lord in our successes!

Oh Lord, thank you for your forgiveness that is already given. Help me to never take for granted from whom my strengths and talents come. Help me to use them to further your kingdom and NOT the expansion or glorification of my own ego!