A Word for Our Arbor Family
I’m getting old. I think about songs from the '90's like they were released just a couple of years ago. One song in particular that’s been running through my head is “Little Man” by The O.C. Supertones. And the line that keeps playing is “Oh, let my pride fall down, I'm a little man."
It’s a good reminder because pride often makes us feel bigger than we are, yet it inevitably leads to pettiness. Pride whispers that we shouldn't have to fix what we didn’t break, giving us a sense of superiority, rather than the humility we are called to. Scripture warns us that "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18).
The beauty of the Gospel is that even when we mess up, God is already at work. Romans 8:28 assures us that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him." This includes our failures. Like a child running to a parent after breaking a glass in the kitchen, we can approach our Father, knowing He will start repairing what we have broken.
This truth must shape our relationships. Living out our faith means seeking reconciliation even when we don't feel "at fault." This is the heart of forgiveness and the essence of the "mind of Christ," who emptied Himself for our sake (Philippians 2:5-7).
Finally, God teaches us that faith is lived, not just spoken. Jesus said, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve" (Mark 10:45). We are called to lead through service, not in place of it. When we serve humbly, we reflect Christ more clearly than words ever could.
May we set aside our egos, trust in God’s restoring grace, and live out our faith through surrender and service.
It’s a good reminder because pride often makes us feel bigger than we are, yet it inevitably leads to pettiness. Pride whispers that we shouldn't have to fix what we didn’t break, giving us a sense of superiority, rather than the humility we are called to. Scripture warns us that "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18).
The beauty of the Gospel is that even when we mess up, God is already at work. Romans 8:28 assures us that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him." This includes our failures. Like a child running to a parent after breaking a glass in the kitchen, we can approach our Father, knowing He will start repairing what we have broken.
This truth must shape our relationships. Living out our faith means seeking reconciliation even when we don't feel "at fault." This is the heart of forgiveness and the essence of the "mind of Christ," who emptied Himself for our sake (Philippians 2:5-7).
Finally, God teaches us that faith is lived, not just spoken. Jesus said, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve" (Mark 10:45). We are called to lead through service, not in place of it. When we serve humbly, we reflect Christ more clearly than words ever could.
May we set aside our egos, trust in God’s restoring grace, and live out our faith through surrender and service.