"Me, Smarter?"

"As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all." Ecclesiastes 11:5 

Let's face it, we aren't as smart as we would like to think we are. This way of thinking starts in us at a very early age. Even as toddlers when we are offered help, we insist that we can do it by ourselves. When we become teenagers, we know it all-- we are smarter than our parents or anyone else for that matter. As adults, we don't like to be made to feel like we don't know what we are doing. We try to give the impression that we know it-- often, faking it. The definition for this is called "pride and independence". 

 

We want to be independent-- we want to do it ourselves without help. We are too proud to admit that there is something we can't do or don't know. Pride says I can do it, I know it all, I don't need someone else to tell me what and how to do it. The only problem with this though is that we often exhibit this same attitude toward God. We try to tell Him what to do. We act toward Him as if we can take care of whatever it is we are facing. We have the same-- I can do it by myself attitude-- with Him. The fact is that we can't.

 

The Bible says that there are things that are impossible for us. Yes, it does say we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us. But it says-- through Christ, not through ourselves. Jesus told us that without Him we can do nothing. Having an independent spirit in some cases and to some degree is not a bad thing unless you are dealing with the Lord. 

 

Face it, you can't do it all. You don't know it all. You are not that smart. You don't have it all together. Does this sound "negative"? It isn't. On the contrary, it is very positive because it is the truth. Truth always sets us free-- which is a positive plus in our lives. We need to humble ourselves before the Lord and acknowledge that without Him we are nothing and can do nothing. We need to acknowledge to Him that we need Him-- desperately need Him. When was the last time you "climbed into His lap" in prayer, and told Him how much you need Him? When was the last time you expressed to Him, how weak you are without Him? When was the last time you admitted to Him that you just don't know everything? When was the last time that you confessed to Him that you are not that smart, but that you know He is?

 

Have a great day. We aren't as smart as we like to think we are. So, swallow your pride and admit to God that He is and that you need His help. 

 

For further reading:

Philippians 4:13

John 15:5

James 4:10

2 Corinthians 12:9