“He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness.”
Hebrews 5:2 NIV
When I got my first job out of college I was scared!! You train for 4 years for a job that you are passionate about and then comes the day when you actually have to do it!! I wondered if I could. What if I wasn’t good enough? What if my co-workers and the students didn’t like me? What if I made a mistake?
I think back to those first years and a lot of my fears came true. I did mess up. Not everyone liked me. There were things I wasn’t great at. And unfortunately, there were times when my pride got in the way and I didn’t ask for help. I felt as though my training prepared me and I knew best.
Have you heard the phrase, “but for the grace of God go I”? It reminds of this verse in Hebrews 5. Verse 2 above is referring to the High Priest. His authority is real and powerful because of who His God is not because of his perfection. His humility is essential because of he has to make sacrifices for his own sins. The author of Hebrews goes on to make a comparison to Jesus and how He didn’t claim his “Godness” but humbled himself…and suffered…and died.
Who am I to act and believe I know best…or am better than? I cringe when I think back to my own arrogance and it’s a reminder to me today to be humble and open to learning. I was surrounded by patient co-workers and leaders who allowed me to fail and came alongside me to help me succeed. That’s who I want to be today. I want to be someone who helps others succeed not stand over them when they fail.
God, what an example of humility and grace we see in the person of Jesus. May we never take for granted His life and ministry. May we seek to follow His example. May we love as He loved. May we serve with gentleness. May we never believe we are better than. Thank you for you grace! Amen.
Mandy
Sixty-six books in a year 