"The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself:
God, I thank you that I am not like other men - robbers, evildoers,
adulterers - or even like this tax collector."
Luke 18:11 (NIV)
There is an “unspoken” rule when working out at the gym:
never come in and take over any equipment without asking the people already
working out if they are using it.
That really is just common courtesy. Some people combine
two or three machines at a time when exercising, making it necessary to adjust
a workout routine around them.
That was why, when I walked into the gym, I stretched and
then asked a guy who was working out which machines he was currently using. His
reaction made me smile – at first.
He looked at my muscles compared to his (David vs
Goliath) and laughed. “Oh, you and I won’t be using the same machines, I
guarantee you” he replied and turned around, smiling. As he moved away, he – perhaps unintentionally
– flexed his arms in what seemed to be a “see why we do not compare?” movement.
After I smiled and started my workout routine, I ran
several responses through my mind: “I had shoulder surgery a year ago and I am
just getting back into shape.” Or “They call me small but mighty” to “I just
didn’t want my workout to interfere with yours” but I remained silent. Why?
Because I was embarrassed. I work out 6 to 7 days a week
and, for me, they are tough workouts. I am committed to what I do. No, I don’t
look like him (and would never want to) but those few words made me feel like the
workout I did was unimportant and inferior compared to his.
Our interaction reminded me of the Pharisee in Luke 18:11
who thought highly of himself. He compared his prayer time to that of a tax
collector who had also come into the temple to pray. His prayer was not “have
mercy on me” as the tax collector had prayed but rather “thank you that I am
not like other men.” What a putdown to the tax collector! “Yes, you may be at
the temple to pray BUT you don’t compare to me!”
As I worked out, I found myself wondering if, as a
Christian, I sometimes treat people with superiority and righteousness. Someone tells me “I was so glad I could find
time to read my Bible twice this week!” Do I praise them or do I respond with
“Well, I read mine every day, without fail.”
When someone shares “I finally got up the nerve to share
Jesus with my neighbor!” what is my response? “How wonderful!!” or do I think
“Nice, but I do that all the time.”
To be honest, I am not sure if that “Goliath” at the gym
was comparing his muscles to mine and laughing at me or if he was simply
answering my question. My perception might have been wrong.
But his reaction to my question really served as a wakeup
call to me about my attitude as a Christian toward others and how I respond
when they share their successes. May I never utter one putdown but always
remember to build up!
Father, I have no right to act
superior to those around me. Forgive me for those times I put someone down. I
pray my words will be filled with mercy and grace. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
R.A.P.
it up . . .
Reflect
·
When someone shares with you, is your
first response praise and encouragement? Or do you try to top what they have to
say with your actions?
Apply
·
When someone shares their success, listen
carefully and focus on what they are saying. Then encourage and praise them.
·
Push to the back of your mind those things
you have succeeded in and do not share them at this time. Remember the focus is
on them and not on you.
Power
·
Luke 18:11 (NIV) “The Pharisee stood up
and prayed about himself: God, I thank you that I am not like other men –
robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector.”
·
Romans 2:1 (NIV) “You, therefore, have no
excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge
the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the
same things.”
·
James 4:6 (NIV) “But he gives us more
grace. That is why Scripture says ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the
humble.’”
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