097 – SEPTEMBER 2011
THINK ABOUT IT
Romans 12:3 “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think;…
In 1976, I surrendered my life to Christ. I got “saved” and we started to go to a Bible preaching church. It was an energizing time as I began to see life so wonderfully and differently … with new eyes.
One day, during these “grasshopper” years, I learned a great lesson:
I was in a Catholic church where I had just photographed the wedding formals. While everyone made their way to the reception, I lagged behind to return some chairs and flower arrangements to their proper places. I remember looking around and feeling fortunate that, after I had made my decision for Christ, I chose a church that was a bit more “Bible based” and a lot less “religious”.
It was not a super haughty thing that was going on in my head, but brainless nonetheless.
I grabbed my camera and I strolled down the aisle to what I though was an empty church. I then spotted this “Catholic” lady with a grocery bag next to her. She was leaning forward on the pew that was in front of her … and she was weeping.
God did not have to speak anything. The message was loud and clear. I immediately recalled the following parable that, because of this early experience, has become one of my favorites … and one that I cannot forget.
Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector
Luke 18:9-14 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else:
“Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector.
The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer[b]: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!
I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’
I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
