HTPG - Chapter 2
From Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God, Chapter 2:
There is only one thing that keeps most churches from prospering spiritually. They have yet to find God.
What a weak comfort is the praise of men!
To seek the praise of men is to be tossed upon such a sea of instability.
Francis talks about how the Lyconians sought to praise Paul, but a few days later they stoned him! (Acts 14) He also points out how the same people in Jerusalem who worshiped Jesus as he entered on a donkey are the same who cried, “Crucify Him!” less than one week later. (Matt 21 and Luke 23)
Thankfully Jesus and Paul knew people were like that. I’m still learning. I often get tripped up by worrying about what others think of me. I hate rejection and repeatedly strive to earn people’s attention/favor. Only trouble, my way of doing so is by playing the “helpless needy waif,” which I have grown to abhor. But she still seeps back in every now and then. She’s really diabolical. By playing the needy one, I am, ironically, looking down on others to use them. Idolatry is soooo twisted! By “lifting other things up,” I am actually trying to “get on top.” But the idol, like man’s changing opinions, soon brings me down lower than where I was before.
The “helpless needy waif” is also clueless. People’s attention/favor is not what she needs anyway. It cannot fill her. It’s not stable and it doesn’t last. Therefore,
As you touch Him, something will come alive in you: something eternal, Someone Almighty!That is Who she needs.
…determine to life the rest of your life in pursuit of His glory…
Instead of looking down on people, you will seek to lift them up. You will dwell in the Presence of God. And you will be holy, for He is holy.
Hmmm… A helpful holy woman… Yes, Lord…