Someday...

Today was pretty incredible as we received the first snow of the season here in the Capitol area.  Although being at the office was the order of the day, I rather enjoyed my time.  It is a rather humbling feeling when I have the opportunity to work with someone in a specific discipline who knows more than I do.  I spent the last couple of days instructing, and learning from my partner at the same time.  It is refreshing to accept my slice of humble pie and open my mind to new things.  I started off the class thinking how high and mighty I was as the senior instructor, however, the tables soon turned as my partner started filling in several gaps which my curriculum apparently failed to address.  All I could do was get on my knees and chant, "I'm not worthy...", by the time the day was over.

Somehow it seems like falling into the "love me" trap is so easy these days with all the talk of making everything fair and equal.  The paradigm of society now empowers those who have failed to make any effort in life, and expect the same as others who have toiled and sweat.  Whatever happened to being content with something, rather than desiring the biggest and best of everything?  Hard work took the first train out of town, and ambition decided to grab a bag of potato chips and lounge on the couch.  When I was in the military the only thing I ever wanted for anybody who worked for me was personal and professional fulfillment.  For some, the desire to be better and develop a sense of humility while doing it was all the motivation they needed to excel.  For others, a helping hand still wasn't enough to push them to reach their dreams.

So what does all the babble I have put into words here really mean?  I read a daily devotional the other day which was written by Chuck Swindoll, author and evangelist, among other things.  I am leaving this last today with the hope that some will hold out to the very end and take in every word.  With that, have a blessed thanksgiving, and enjoy...

Self-Pity
by Charles R. Swindoll 

1 Kings 19

A severe case of ingrown eyeballs strikes all of us every once in a while. In both dramatic and subtle ways, the stubborn enemy of our souls whispers sweet little nothings in our ears. He reminds us of how unappreciated and ill-treated we are . . . how important yet overlooked . . . how gifted yet ignored . . . how capable yet unrecognized . . . how bright yet eclipsed . . . how valuable yet unrewarded.

But the most damaging impact of self-pity is its ultimate end. A frown will replace your smile. A pungent criticism will replace a pleasant, "I understand." Suspicion and resentment will submerge you like a tidal wave, and you will soon discover that this sea of self-pity has brought with it urchins of doubt, despair . . . and even the desire to die.

An exaggeration? If you think so, sit with me awhile beneath the shade of a juniper tree located at 19 First Kings, the address of a prophet named Elijah.

Elijah had just won a great victory over Ahab and his Baal-worshiping pawns. In fact, God stamped His approval upon Elijah in such a way that all Israel knew he was God's mouthpiece. As a result, Jezebel, Ahab's spouse (he was her mouse), declared and predicted Elijah's death within twenty-four hours.

Now, the seasoned prophet had surely been criticized before. But this threat somehow found the chink in his armor.

So Elijah ran for his life. Then, beneath the tree, overwhelmed with self-pity, he said, "I've had enough . . . take away my life. . . . I've worked very hard for the Lord God of the heavens; but the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you and torn down your altars and killed your prophets, and only I am left; and now they are trying to kill me, too" (1 Kings 19:4, 10 TLB).

Yet God didn't rebuke His man, nor strike him dead. He encouraged him to take a rest, enjoy a catered meal or two . . . and get his eyes off himself and his situation so that they might get back on the Lord. God even gave him a close friend, a fella named Elisha, with whom he might share his life and his load.

Feeling sorry for yourself today? Why not try God's remedy: Take a break, stop trying to work things out yourself. And take a long, loving look at your Savior in His Word . . . and then spend some time with a friend. You'll be amazed at the outcome.

Self-pity is the smog that pollutes and obscures the light of the Son.

1 Thessalonians 5:18