Pet Peeves and Blinders...

What is your pet peeve?

Recently, my hubby confessed one of his to me.  He then proceeded to say that it was probably something he was guilty of from time to time since he finds it so offensive.  So, what was it?  It was blatant double standards that are either expressed or implied.

Like my husband, I'm convinced that the things that bother us most in others are potentially areas in which we struggle--sometimes unaware.  For this reason I am almost reluctant to write what I found most compelling about today's scripture passage.

Micah chapters 1 though 9 are the focus of today's reading and it is in these difficult passages that we again find the fickle, disobedient, hard-hearted people of Israel getting reprimanded and warned about what is to come if they don't shape up. 

God's messenger, Micah, communicates clearly the frustration and grievances that The Lord has against His people and then in chapter 6 he begins to share with them how their "day in court" might go. 

In this dramatic portrayal, we see Israel theoretically shaking angry fists at God and griping that He just asks too much. When they demand a response, God's reply is almost startling. Listen to what He told them in verse 8:

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Wow.

And this brings me back to the pet peeve thing.  I really don't like to be around boastful/arrogant/pride-filled people.  I figure if you have to toot your own horn something must be wrong.

But are high volumed speaking voices, bragging words or snotty attitudes the only evidences of pride?  Is it possible to be quietly prideful, silently boastful, and secretly snotty? I'm afraid of the answer to that question.

What I do know for certain is that I'm asking God to reveal the hidden sins in my life this year--to remove all blinders that keep me from seeing the log in my own eyes and prevent me from walking humbly with Him. 

So how does one walk humbly with God (which I believe will usher in the other two requirements [doing right and loving mercy] by default)?
 
Charles Spurgeon said this:

“True humility is thinking rightly of thyself, not meanly. When you have found out what you really are, you will be humble, for you are nothing to boast of. To be humble will make you safe. To be humble will make you happy. To be humble will make music in your heart when you go to bed. To be humble here will make you wake up in the likeness of your Master by-and-by.”

My goal for this year is to wake up each day in the likeness of my Master.  What's yours?

Father, thank you for the reminder that I am nothing apart from you and that with your help I can do right, love mercy and walk humbly in your likeness.  Make my goal a reality by the grace and mercy and guidance available to me and to all who believe in Christ The Lord. Amen.