Attitude is everything. Brother Lawrence demonstrated this. Consider these words:
(His attitude about himself)Yet, I think it is appropriate to tell you how I perceive myself before God, whom I behold as my King. I consider myself as the most wretched of men. I am full of faults, flaws, and weaknesses, and have committed all sorts of crimes against his King. In deep regret I confess all my wickedness to Him. I ask His forgiveness. I abandon myself in His hands that He may do what He pleases with me.
(His attitude about God) My King is full of mercy and goodness. Far from chastising me, He embraces me with love. He makes me eat at His table. He serves me with His own hands and gives me the key to His treasures. He converses and delights Himself with me incessantly, in a thousand and a thousand ways. And He treats me in all respects as His favorite. In this way I consider myself continually in His holy presence.
Consider how often our attitudes mess us up. We often consider ourselves put-upon. Poor, poor pitiful me. We focus on our problems and struggles. That’s why taking a mission trip like Pastor T just did is so helpful. When we consider the struggles of Christians throughout the world, we have nothing to complain about. We also make the mistake of comparing ourselves with others and finding us “pretty good in comparison.” If we honestly admit that we are “the most wretched of men” then we can only “throw ourselves on the mercy of the Court.” We deserve what we get.
Starting with that attitude about self, our attitude about Him is changed. Every good thing which comes from Him is recognized for the undeserved gift that it is. I love this phrase: “He treats me in all respects as His favorite.”
Summing up: We deserve nothing. We’ve been given everything. Is there anything I should not do for Him?
Shape up your attitude and
Be blessed.
Nick
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