We Americans are independent and big thinkers.  The concept of equality inspires the individual to believe anyone can be great.  We tell our children that they can grow up to be President.  We encourage them to think big and become all they can be.  We may admonish them to work and study hard. However, do we warn them against seeking riches, fame, and power as does the world?  For Believers pleasing God should be our highest goal, but how is this achieved through independence and self-determination?  Have we subtly sought things or status, rather than virtue, peace, love and 

mercy that are found only in a pursuit of God. The removal of the Ten Commandments from the public square was destructive to our society. “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.’ ” (Matt. 22: 37-38).  He clarified, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt. 6: 33).

In reality and truth success in God’s eyes is far different from the American dream.

“Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.” (James 1: 9). To live a humble life in submission to God’s will is renowned in His Kingdom. “Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.” (Ps. 138: 6).  God’s concern and attentions are on the lowly to show them kindness.  “For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.’ ” (Isaiah 57: 15).  In this context to be lowly and contrite is being humble and cognizant of one’s shortcomings.  When the disciples asked Yeshua to increase their faith He replied, “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep.  Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat?’  Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink?’  Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do?  So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ ” (Luke 17: 7-10). This is a contrite spirit and the pathway to greater faith.

Humility is right standing before God Almighty.  It was His plan to exalt the lowly and even Messiah Yeshua, King of Kings, rode into Jerusalem on the foal of a donkey.  “God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” (1 Cor. 1: 28-29).  It is God’s nature to watch over the outcast and weak.  “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.  God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” (Ps. 68: 5-6).

To you who have been rejected by the strong and beautiful; to those who have been ridiculed and laughed at for the way God made you or your clothes or your lack of things or out of fashion anything; give no thought to them, because God sees you with approval and is near to you.  Embrace humility and a quiet life, even if God calls you to be a leader and prominent person, seek Him above all else.  If you have made grave errors and done shameful things, confess, repent and humble yourself before God; take up His purposes for your life and look to Him for everything.