Sick with Pride
“He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Today’s Text: Matthew 18:1-9 (Living Life Daily Devotional)
The last time we were in Zambia, Pastor Emile took us to visit one of the elders of his church, Leslie Mbula. Dr Mbula is the former Secretary to the Cabinet of Zambia and served under three different presidents from different political parties. When I asked him how that was possible, he said that he followed the law and not political affiliation.
We visited Dr. Mbula on his ranch, where he lives with his wife and some of their family. I can’t quite remember, but I believe there were four generations living together, because young children were living there, and Dr. Mbula is over 80. They were very kind and very hospitable toward us.
But what really stood out about that visit is how the great-grandchildren were serving us, particular the girls. When they came into the sun room, where we were sitting, the young girl would come and serve us on her knees. I was a little shocked. I had to remind myself that that is their culture, even today. It was very clear, however, that the young girl adored her great-grandparents. She was smiling and laughing and incredibly polite.
And as I was reading the text today, I was reminded of her.
And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
— verse 3
I’m thinking, that great granddaughter of Dr. Mbula must be one of the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
I wonder if we could all serve our Lord with such joy and love and innocence if our pride and ego and ambition didn’t get in the way. To serve the Lord and His church is itself the joy, not the human outcome or the personal aftermath of our service.
If we can be really honest with ourselves, we are always looking for some benefit, some windfall, some affirmation for our service to the church. But the benefit, the windfall, the affirmation, the profit of serving the Lord and His church is really nothing more than the joy of experiencing His love.
But His love is not given to us because we serve or after we serve. The love of Christ is poured out to us unconditionally, and all we need to do is to receive it!
That principle is so foreign to our worldly flesh that many might say that to insist upon it in our service to the church is either naive or abusive. In other words, we have be “wise” and use worldly incentives or worldly pressures to get people to serve our Lord … Jesus Christ … the Lord of the universe …
Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by being obedient to death, even death on a cross.
— Philippians 2:5-8
When I enter the Son room of God in heaven, if I find everyone serving the Lord—and also serving that young girl and others like her—on their knees with joy, would I joyfully get on my knees with them?
Man, the pride and arrogance in my heart is sickening. It’s like bile in my throat. Where would any of us be without the grace and mercy and patience of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Father, You are so patient and kind to me, a proud sinner. Forgive me for my arrogance and entitlement. You don’t owe me anything, and yet You have given me everything. I repent in dust and ashes over my attitude in serving You. I repent on my knees to serve You with joy because of Your love. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! In Jesus’s name. Amen.
