Day 9 - Poor In Spirit

Matthew 5:1-3:
Now when He saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down.  His disciples came to him, and He began to teach them saying:  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God."

Humility - not a word that I use to describe myself.  Yet, isn't that what I'm supposed to be?

I have been going through a season of what I'm calling "pruning".  I've been broken, ok, crushed.  All I thought was mine is no longer.  My pride - broken.  My towers - torn down.  I have been at the lowest possible place I've ever been since the building of my foundation on Christ.  Everything I thought was beautiful and strong and "godly" was found to be lacking in the eyes of Christ.  The fire of God has cleared my self-made altar and reminded me that anything not built by the Lord is in vain.

I have realized this one thing - without God, I am nothing.  I have nothing. 

If I'm allowed to say, I like where I'm at.  I wouldn't trade this experience for anything.  I have almost watched what God is doing in my life as a second person and am in awe of who I am becoming.  I don't say this with any pride or arrogance.  I say this out of a heart that is truly thankful for God's grace and mercy on my life.  I say this out of a heart that has realized what I thought was "gifting" or "confidence" was actually pride and arrogance.

God has broken me exactly where I've needed to be broken.  He has crushed my self-made altars and reminded me who is God - and it's not me!  He's also reminded me that I can do nothing without Him.  I am nothing without Him.

Today's DARE hits me right at home.  I am praying for God to show me areas of my life where I am not completely dependent on Him and areas that I might be building my own wood/hay/stubble altars before Him.

(Check out Jess Bousa's book, "The Discipleship Dare" at http://www.thediscipleshipdare.com/).