The Plumbline

Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.” (Luke 9:48 NLT) Greatness isn't measured in what we accomplish or how highly we think about ourselves, is it? We can portray the most 'important' or 'regal' of images, but deep down inside, we can be a messed-up ball of worry, mistrust, and pride. As we have heard, "Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18) We can say all the right things, but are we doing them from a genuine and humble heart? The humble see themselves as they really are and in what God can do through them when they are genuine in their faith. What am I? A sinner, incapable of living as I should apart from the grace of God active and living in my heart. Who are you? Truth be told, I cannot make that judgment - that is between you and God! I can see ...

Get relationship right with God - giving him ALL of your heart - not just the part given to him on Sunday mornings, or when someone is looking. Focus on him as the only source of your devotion and dedication - not as much on every passing whim or fancy. Intently choose to follow his will instead of the constant pull of your own. Submit your thoughts to him and allow him to purify them, filtering out all the "noise" the world adds. Take up the tasks he lays before you and don't seek to accomplish them in your own ability or talent. This is what makes up the first and most important command. The thoughts of most religious zealots would be, "We have this down pat!" There will always stand this one command that will expose our hearts. To consider another above yourself - to focus on loving with integrity instead of with false pretense - this comes closely on the heels of being rightly related to God. “The most important command is this: ‘People of Israel, listen! Th...