I have often told my interns that,
“I have counseled thousands. I have
taught hundreds. I have mentored dozens.”
And as a result, you would think I
would have the self-confidence of a Mountain Gorilla. (However, I freely admit.
I don’t). But then again, counselors are known to be at least slightly
introverted. And I admit it, I am (slightly introverted).
Granted, I tend to be comfortable in
my own little environment. It occurs to me the problem arises when you put me
in a new atmosphere, such as a restaurant in which I’ve never eaten. I mean, my
wife and I pulled up to an eating establishment in Vidalia, Georgia once, and I
kid you not, the front of the building looked like a fancy lawyer’s office with
the columns, and light fixtures and windows.
And so I said to Jean,
And so I said to Jean,
“I’m not going in there. I’m not
dressed for it. And you know places like this make me uncomfortable, and besides,
I’m wearing blue jeans.”
Well, of course my wife encouraged me
to stretch my limits a bit, and I reluctantly agreed. Thus, we departed our
automobile and found our way into the front door of the restaurant.
What greeted my eyes when I stepped
inside was anything but what I expected. The interior was decorated in a
western motif, the waitress was wearing… shorts, and when she served our drinks
she served them… in pint mason jars.
Like they say “you should never judge
a package by its wrapper.”
Pt. 2
New Experiences and New Environments
While I’m not keen on such things, not
long ago I ‘experienced’ a moment of insight.
You see, a couple thousand years ago God
Almighty experienced something which he’d never experienced in the countless
eons. (Yes, He did).
For you see, the Creator, in the
Person of His Son, submitted Himself to the will of the Heavenly Father. And in
the most remarkable metamorphosis in human history, He who had always been a
spirit being entered into the womb of Mary, and put on flesh, and dwelt among
us. He, subsequently, moved, and breathed, and lived on this planet for the
space of 33 years.
And I can only imagine what it would
have been like to realize, as He “grew in wisdom, and stature and favor with
God and man” that His destiny was to die a miserable death for the sins of
every man, woman, boy and girl who would ever inhabit this planet.
Who can deny He was unique? Who can
deny that He participated in the most unique experiences in which anyone ever participated?
At the age of 12 He confounded the austere
and astute religious leaders. He went ‘head to head’ with Satan in the desert. He
turned the water into wine. He healed the leper. He raised Lazarus from the dead.
He walked on water. He met Elijah and Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration. He
challenged the High Priest. He appeared before the Roman Governor. He was
nailed to a cruel cross. He was laid in a borrowed tomb. He received an unction
from above, and rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven.
Did I mention I have jury duty
tomorrow? (Well, I do). Did I mention I have never done jury duty before?
(Well, I haven’t). Did I mention I’m a little anxious about it? (Well, I am).
Somehow it helps me to remember that
the Creator of the universe once submitted to a new experience, and somehow it
puts anything I have, will, or ever shall experience into perspective.
For we do
not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one
who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then
with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and
find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)
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5 In your relationships with one
another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in
very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the
highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:5-11)
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:5-11)
By
William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from "(Mc)Donald's Daily Diary" Vol. 52. Copyright pending
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If you would like to see the titles and access hundreds of my blogs from 2015 and 2016, do the following:
Click on 2015 in the index to the right of this blog. When my December 31st blog, "The Shot Must Choose You" appears, click on the title. All my 2015 blog titles will come up in the right margin
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