HUMILITY: Reality is not always observable!

"The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart."

Psalms 51:17 [HCSB]

One day as my wife and I approached a local on ramp to the I-10 in Pomona, California, we were almost blind-sided by another driver. The on ramp was a double-lane on ramp.

We had been stopped at a light across the street from the access ramp and approached it with other traffic from both traffic lanes. For some reason the car to our left and in front pulled into our lane … evidently believing the lane to be empty.

We assume he didn’t realize our lane could enter the freeway along with his. We also assume, he couldn’t see us due to a blind spot. At any rate, he almost sideswiped us.

Blind spots are areas of reality not directly observable for one reason or another.

Philosophical and theological blind spots are inconsistencies in the thought process and are not partial to the host. We have them in every walk and activity of life; many can only be revealed by God … but all are hazardous to out health.

In fact, the highways of life are littered with wrecks caused by both kinds (e.g., cults, false religions, despotism, fascism, TM, psycho-babble, political correctness, activist justices, the United Nations, peace in Jerusalem, the Inquisition, etc.).

The most certain antidote for blind spots available to man is humility and circumspection.

Christianity, Humility,
Illustrations, Religion

HUMILITY: A Very Present Help!

“that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need."

Hebrews 4:16

Missouri has one of the greatest tourist attractions in America. It’s called Pro Bass Shop, which is located in Springfield. This place is a sportsman’s paradise.

Any sportsman who goes there will think he has died and gone to heaven. The store must cover a hundred acres: it has live fish ponds, indoors; a full-service McDonald’s, indoors; an indoor firing range for your new deer rifle; small cabin cruisers, also indoors; and every fishing lure known to modern man.

On one of our two trips to this sportsmen’s smorgasbord, we sat by a live fish pond; one with decorative stumps and rocks for turtle sunbathing. Only they were indoors, so I guess they were “fluorescenting” themselves.

At any rate, we were all chuckling at this one turtle perched on top of a wooden pole. Now the turtle’s little legs hung over the edge of the pole and it was at least 18 inches out of the water.

Every time I think of that little critter I’m reminded of a turtle on a lamp-post in Alex Haley’s office. Haley, author of Roots, said it was there to remind him it needed help to get there, he didn’t do it on his own. So too, the turtle at the Pro Bass Shop.

We must all remember that we didn't get where we are by ourselves … we don’t live or exist in a vacuum. Priscilla and Aquila needed Paul’s help; Paul needed Barnabas and Silas; and so on! We all need God’s help.

Christianity, Humility, Illustrations, Religion