Living in the Story - Lent #32, 2009

"If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me." (John 8)

There is a great talk by author Donald Miller (you can find it here) about stories. In a nut shell, he says that the things that make good stories also make good lives...we are co-authoring our lives along with God.

As I read Christ's words this morning, they made me remember a part of that talk. One of Donald's points is that no hero of any story can think that he is better than others. Jesus was accused of arrogance and exalting himself, and the world, even his own students, didn't understand that he came to serve. He left the Glory up to his Father. Jesus was and is very secure.

I love Dean Sherman's definition of Biblical humility..."an honest evaluation of the way things are." If I play the guitar well, it is not humble to say that I don't. If someone thanks me for a job well done, it is not humble to say, "no, no, I give the glory to God." while pointing up to the sky. If I screw up, it's not humble to spin a bunch of excuses..."I'm sorry, please forgive me" will do.

Today, how can we be more like Jesus? We can speak matter-of-factly, with no dramatic exaggeration or arrogance. We can be ok with the good gifts he's given us. We can leave the glory to God. We can live grateful lives.