God's Eyes

We have trouble seeing ourselves the way God sees us.

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted." - Luke 18:9-14

We are odd creatures, aren't we.

On the one hand, if we don't think highly of ourselves, others will take advantage of us and treat us poorly.

But then, if we think ourselves too great, we can fail to see ourselves as superior to others, and we may mistreat or ignore them.

Both of these self-images are played out in this parable, and we are shown that it is better to be humble.

But humility is not low self-worth, is it?

We can think highly of our selves, worthy of God's love, for example, and yet be open to admitting that we are far from perfect, far from grace.

In God's eyes, according to Jesus, we are worthy and exalted, but we, and not God, can change that view.

We can choose to be self-righteous and demanding of God's grace.  That would be a mistake.

God doesn't react well to our demands.

But God does hear our honest, humble pleas.  

If we want to be heard, we need to approach God with our hearts in our hands.  All we have to give is Love.

On this Valentine's Day and frst day of Lent, what better gift is there than love?

More to come...