God’s Humble Pie: An All You Can Eat Buffet
“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” -- Romans 12:3
“Close your eyes,” said the sweet man I was dating. I did. Soon, my face was covered in coconut cream pie. He scrambled to find something in his backpack; I peeled pie off my face and pelted him with it.
“Will you marry me?” he asked, handing me a rose. “Yes,” I shouted, hurling handfuls of goo.
Bill wanted to know if I had a sense of humor and could take a practical joke. The two of us have been eating humble pie together ever since.
Satan inflated Eve’s ego and convinced her to steal a bite of fruit not intended for her. The forbidden fruit awoke the image-bearers of God to an unhealthy view of themselves; we see ourselves as gods. Pride infects every cell of every human being. Unless we bow before the one true God and confess our rebellion and need of Him, we will perish in our sinful pride.
However, for those of us called the children of God, there’s hope because we have a wise Abba that has no problem making us choke down the precise flavor of humble pie we need. One flavor in particular stands out to me. I’ll call it No Nursing for You.
I nursed three of my babies without a hitch. I had the usual trials like mastitis and cracked nipples, but my milk made fat-happy infants. I became a nursing fiend. I looked down my nose at moms who didn’t nurse regardless of their reasons; pride is never reasonable. It dismisses the reasoning of others as lame excuses.
Baby four arrived. My milk had come in with a vengeance, but the baby had lost way too much weight. “If Jon doesn’t gain weight this week, you must supplement,” said my pediatrician.
The following morning, my infant woke up with a dry diaper—supplementing began immediately. My wise, compassionate pediatrician said, “Breastfeed him all you want, then feed him formula.” My milk dried up in seven months. God gave me compassion for women unable to nurse—and understanding for women who choose not to.
Humility requires us to be honest in our self-evaluation. When our egos leave no room for different opinions, personalities, or approaches in life, we need humility.
God’s glory shines through humble servants. When Jesus said, “Apart from me, you can do nothing,” he meant nothing. God gave us talents and abilities; He can take them away. We can work hard to achieve great things, but who allows us the ability to work? Before we clamor for an atta boy, let’s get on our knees and thank God He uses mud pies like us to build His Kingdom.
Questions for Reflection:
1. Who are you looking down your nose at?
2. How can you show compassion instead of condemnation?
