Skip to main content

Timidity

 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.  (II Timothy 1:7)

          What is the difference between being timid and being humble? I’ve read numerous translations of today’s verse many times over the years, but the question about timidity versus humility only came to mind today. To be humble is to choose not to put oneself forward. As an example, let’s say that you can bench press (raw) 750 lbs. It’s not quite a world record, but you know you can do it. You did a set today. Suppose you went to the gym and someone bench pressed 500 lbs., or 250, or 50. If you’re humble, you choose not to show him how it’s done. You don’t tell him, “Yeah, I remember when I was at that level.” At the moment, what matters is the other guy’s victory. On the other hand, timidity would involve not being able to tell him. Humbleness turns the focus on the other person. Timidity turns the focus away from oneself. “I’m a worm!” (in its normal meaning) is a statement of timidity.

          This isn’t what God has given us. He has given us a Spirit that gives us power, love, and self-discipline. We are able to do what He calls us to do. It may not be easy, but that doesn’t frighten us. We don’t have to turn the focus away from ourselves, but we can turn it to others.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The List

              Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,   through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;   perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)           Think about it. We have been justified. At least, we could be justified if we stopped insisting that our justification be based on our merits. We have peace with God, or could have peace if we stopped throwing temper tantrums. We have gained access into grace i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Listen!

  While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5)            Do you like roller coasters? I don't. You spend forever climbing a hill. You get to the top and have half a second, then you race down to a low point. Sometimes the racing down involves tying your insides into knots. At the bottom, you either have to be dragged up another hill or you get off the ride. Peter's life was a roller coaster from the time he met Jesus. There would be miracles, and then Jesus would teach things that didn't always make sense, and then they'd go out and perform miracles, and return to be taught. Peter was praised for giving the right answer to "Who do you say that I am?" Jesus said that said answer came from God. Peter was at the top of the hill.            ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Prayer Lists

                 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (I Peter 2:2-3)   In connection with what I wrote yesterday about the possibility that I’m wrong, I’m feeling the need to go back to basics - craving spiritual milk because somehow, I missed something. It’s a little embarrassing, craving milk like a newborn, but the truth probably is that we are newborns many times in many ways in our lives. From God’s perspective, we may never be anything more than newborns, forever needing that milk. On the other hand, being a newborn can also be exciting because so much is new. My mind is playing pinball - ricocheting from one idea to the next and through six more before it happens to hit the third again. The main topic is prayer. I have at least seven organizing structures all somewhat influenced by the movie War Room , which I’v...
Post a Comment
Read more