Monday; April 22

Throughout the years Americans have lauded self-sufficiency and self-reliance. The ability to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps has been something we can be proud of. While the need to be able to cope and have the ability to advance ourselves can pay dividends, we must be careful that we don’t become too self-self-assured. (Yes, you can read pride and ego into that last statement.) When we get too full of ourselves we set ourselves up for a fall and also limit just how far we might be able to advance.

Each one of us has natural talents and abilities, but as the old saying goes, “no man is an island unto himself”. Not only can we rely on others to help us become the best we can be, we should also depend on God to give us the opportunities to make the most of what we innately have. He didn’t just make us, He also enhances and polishes what He created. God’s writers have consistently warned against self-serving pride and reminded His children of the value of staying connected to Him. An example of this is Peter’s observation, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (I Peter 5:6-7).

Are we doing the best we can? Could we do better if we relied even more on the Lord?
Think About It!

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