WHAT YOU LOOKIN' AT?

If you’ve ever been owned by a cat, you can identify with that sometimes creepy feeling that comes from a kitty unblinkingly staring at you with its intense guilt-and-fear-inducing glare, and you swear that kitty must be an alien subversively implanted in your house, like “pod people,” only cute, and with fur.

In a somewhat related way, decades ago, my 3-year-old brother once had a one-sided conversation with another small child in the grocery store.  He was installed in the cart seat when I heard him sternly say, “you quit looking at me, boy!”  Sure enough, another kid in a cart seat was looking at my brother.  No clue why, just staring him down.  And little brother repeated his demand, “quit looking at me!”

Yessiree, there’s just something about being stared at that automatically makes us defensive and on-edge, saying, “what are you looking at?”

In His ever-perfect timing, the Lord brought these instances to my mind while I was reading in Luke 22:61 about Peter’s three-time denial of Christ right before the crucifixion.  “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.” He then remembered the Lord’s prophecy, causing him to fall to his knees and repent.  He didn’t have to ponder why Jesus was looking at him.

Tell me, have you ever felt the Lord “look” at you?  I have.  For instance, in moments of weakness, I’ve denied knowing Him by not taking opportunities to introduce him to others.  And then I see Him “looking” at me with His words -– “whoever is ashamed of Me … whoever denies Me” (Mark 8:38; Matthew 10:33).

My precious Lord Jesus, as I walk with You through this Easter week, I marvel at Your finished work on the Cross.  Everything You did glorified Father God by Your obedience to Him.  I see how important it is that I not only be looking at Your words in Scripture, but that I humble myself to be looked at by You, that You tenderize my sometimes stubborn and weak heart to be obedient to You, to be repentant of my sins, knowing that You are faithful and just to forgive me.  I know why You are looking at me.  It is to prompt me to obedience by pointing others to You alone for forgiveness of sins and to be reconciled to the Father. How I look forward to an eternity spent with You under Your merciful and loving gaze.

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

Upon a Time, there was a kindly crazy cat lady who generously fed and housed feral kitties on her back deck.  Eventually, the lady thought it would be in their best interests if they were captured and taken to a real home with food, shelter, and love.  So the elaborate cage was installed, and one by one, the two babes (and their mama) followed the tempting treats into the cage, and off they went to a better life.  Now they frequently send postcards of their days on the beach.

 

However, the last kitty, named Bernie, has steadfastly refused to enter the cage.  He knows there’s food in there, but he’s too “smart” to humble himself, accept help, and enter into a new and comfortable future.  He says to the lady, “I’m quite happy, thank you, with my independence.”  Even in sweltering summer and frozen-tundra winter, and low food supplies, uncouth beasts, and gross diseases, Bernie says he knows best and chooses to do what he wants, regardless of the outcome for himself, or the other ferals he will soon lead astray.  Yessir, Bernie is just too smart for his own good.  He will wind up starved, cold, and alone, and he’ll pass on fatal diseases to others, but hey, he still has his pride!

And as He is prone to do, the Lord showed me myself, both before, and during, my salvation.  He is very diligent to explain in His Word that every single sinner is born with chronic “wise in their own eyes” syndrome (Judges 21:25; Proverbs 3:7, 26:12; Isaiah 5:21; Romans 12:16).  That’s why nobody comes to God on their own, because their Tyrannosaurus pride obscures their spiritual vision, and they’re unable to see or love God.  He loved me first, humbled me to see Who He is, and drew me to Himself.  Yes, I am saved, but I’ve discovered that dismantling of self-sufficient pride continues to be a lifelong project.

Motivation is key – why do I want to be humble, when being self-sufficiently prideful and conceited seems to be more fun?  Well, do I love God and want to please Him?  Or don’t I?  Well, yes, I do want to please Him.  Even though there are times when my own self seems more important than my own God, in no way should I believe that my earthly accumulated intelligence supersedes His divine and perfect wisdom.  Listening to Him, and not me, is my foremost motivation (Job 15:8).  Dumping my pride will also prevent me from taking a physical and/or spiritual “tumble” (Proverbs 16:18) and dragging someone else along with me.  If I’m to be fruitful to others, I must first be humble (Philippians 2:3-4).  If others are offering me their own fruit, I must be even more humble.

My Father, it’s obvious that You detest haughty eyes (Proverbs 6:16-17), and that You love humility (Isaiah 66:2, James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6).  You caught me and humbled me, when I was still too “smart” for my own good.  My Jesus, You were born to die, and You humbled Yourself on the Cross, for my benefit and God’s glory.  You are God’s perfect gift, and indeed, You are the gift that keeps on giving, all year long.  Your endless mercy and grace is what keeps me from wanting to display feral pride and instead, being daily grateful for all Your provisions.  Because of this, I indeed feel very “merry” every Christmas, and every day in between!