Told my friend Matt I’d do a post on the quote of his choosing. Here’s what he gave me:
“God spoke to Balaam through his ass. I believe that God still speaks through asses today. So if God should choose to speak through you, you need not think too highly of yourself.”
-Rich Mullins
Lets keep in mind that the word “ass” refers to a donkey, not a body part. I love how people only replace the word “donkey” for “ass” when it is either funny or attention grabbing and never for practical reasons like, it was more descriptive, or it saved a syllable. Anyway, that being said, on to the quote.
First of all, remember that God will use any means necessary to make sure He is heard (and remember he’s God, so he’s got a lot of means). The second part seems to be about humility, that if you are chosen to deliver the word of God you need to not act like you’re the greatest thing since sliced bread. Think about the prophets. They definitely kept it in perspective (did they slice bread back then?). Most of the people called by God didn’t even want to be prophets. To be a prophet was a hard life because a lot of the time people didn’t want to hear what you had to share. Just remember, if God chooses you, you’re in for a rough life.
On the other hand, maybe you SHOULD think highly of yourself. God, the creator of the entire universe, the sustainer of all things, the ruler over all of history, has chosen YOU, an imperfect, unworthy, messed up person to share His word. We should be honored to serve God and to honor Him with our lives.
What does God have to do to make sure He’s heard in YOUR life?
or
Bring. It. On.
I’m not totally convinced we do need to think that highly of ourselves. We do need to remember that we’re loved and blessed and unique, but should God call us, we’re just the lesser of several million evils
Or at least that’s what I’d think Rich would say. Just listen to “We’re Not as Strong as We Think We Are,” it seems to be an undercurrent in several of his songs.
We should only think highly of ourselves in the sense that through service to God we can become greater than what we could ever be without him. I can’t tell if I’m in disagreement with Rich or not. Wish we could ask him.
Now I think you should write a post with a bible study on Ezekiel 23:20.
On second thought maybe not. Not sure I’d want to read that.
Wow. Just wow.
How about a poem instead?