What Do You Value in Others?

“because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant. For from now on all generations will call me blessed, because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name;”  Luke 1:48-49

When we think of who we want to lead us, perhaps as a president of a board or maybe even the president of the country, we usually think of someone popular, famous even. Often this person is well off, maybe handsome, and certainly well liked. If we’re choosing a new head deacon in a church, the first people we would look to are those that are already deacons. People in leadership and others look up to. Would Jesus choose them? I wonder if, instead, Jesus would choose the janitor…

We are so easily impressed by a smooth tongue, someone who says what we want to hear. But we read in Jeremiah, “Their tongues are like deadly arrows. They are always telling lies. Friendly words for their neighbors come from their mouths. But their minds are thinking up ways to trap them.”

Our eyes are drawn to the beautiful, those who have an excellent sense of style or taste in fashion. We lift them up above the average and place them on a pedestal. We try to imitate them and learn their ways. But, again, God’s Word shows us in Proverbs, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised.”

As I draw closer to God, I am learning to value what He values. God looks to the humble, to those who are not so full of themselves that there’s not enough room for Jesus. God values someone who is pure-hearted, not seeking to make themselves look or sound better, but honest and genuine.

Here’s the Thing: God’s Kingdom is an upside-down kingdom where the lowly and simple are elevated and the rich and powerful step down to learn from them. Let us stop seeking to be popular and start learning to be real.

             

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Comments

  1. AnonymousDecember 10, 2024 at 8:15 PM

    Amen sister! Keep on valuing what He values. May we never be too full of ourselves that there is no room for Jesus in this inn. We are to be His temple and may we always have plenty of room for those the world calls misfits. May we live the upside down kingdom life and sharpen each other. I am thankful for you and what God is doing .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Salty ZebraDecember 11, 2024 at 1:48 PM

      Thank you! I'm so glad this post resonated with you.

      Delete

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