Saturday, January 31, 2009

Cavities & the Cross

My mom regularly took my brother & me to the dentist. We would always get very good reports. Even as an adult, I would receive positive comments about my teeth. Throughout the years, I began to take pride in my teeth. I would brag and boast about them whenever a conversation about teeth came up.

I have come to realize that I did that because I wasn’t totally satisfied in Christ. When Christ isn’t your focus, you fix your eyes on superficial, temporal things for security. When you have a weakness or less desirable characteristic, you tend to flaunt your strengths or better qualities in trying to detour focus from your lesser qualities. That is why we must find our identity in Christ alone. Apostle Paul talked about how we shouldn’t boast in the flesh, but instead boast in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (Gal 6:11-16). When we do that, He increases and we decrease (John 3:30).

So, I had to learn this lesson the hard way. God allowed me to find out last week that I had not 1, not 2, but 3 cavities! And not only that, I had to have a root canal treatment (RCT) yesterday on one of them. What a humbling experience! Of course I prayed that I wouldn’t have to have a RCT. But the Lord knows best and He knew exactly what I needed. He chose what would be good for me and what would give Him the most glory. So, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn His statutes” (Psalm 119:71).

Praise the Lord for the cross…it is there that I find Total Forgiveness. It is there that I find Amazing Grace. It is there that I find my Merciful Savior!

Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD." Jeremiah 9:23-24

7 comments:

Noel said...

I'm speaking to a group of ministry wives last night and this morning. Humility is the underlying theme of the weekend--so thanks for a real-life, down-to-earth example. I won't mention your name, though that might be really good for your humility!

Love you.

Stephanie said...

Dear Sister In Christ,
Thank you for your humble and honest sharing. We are on an amzing journey with Christ. Praising Jesus for the CROSS, forgiveness, lavish GRACE, and His LOVE displayed in the on-going work of sanctification; "Oh, to be like Him, Oh, to be like Him, precious REDEEMER, pure as Thou art..." Giving thanks in all circumstances, and glad that step 1 of RCT is done. Love you, Caryn.

Caryn said...

Noel, You can definitely mention my name. I need all the help in this humility area that I can get! :-)

Stephanie, Thank you for your sweet words!

Pamela said...

I am learning, learning, learning every day! Humility is so important and I realize that I am so incredibly proud! This week I have been convicted by Philippians 2:5-8.
I especially notice my pride when I grumble and pout about not having the comforts that other ladies seem to have (the luxury of having a morning shower for instance)because of the demands of my family. Now, when this occurs, the Holy Spirit brings the Philippians passage to mind! Thank God for His Word or else we would think ourselves to be good!

ellen said...

Thanks for sharing Caryn. I was just wondering about how Friday went. I wished that you wouldn't have to get the RCT either, but like you said, the Lord knows best and He is GOOD to us. You have a dear learner's heart! God is much glorified in your weakness.

Stephanie, did you know that I've been carrying around a transparency of that song, "oh to be like Him" in my bag for 2 weeks to sing in our class (one of these days when we actually have time left)?

SpringSnoopy (Julie) said...

What goodness you've been shown by our Father... from a ROOT CANAL!!!

Crazy mom said...

Caryn,
Thanks for the excellent post. I find, too, that when I beat myself up over my faults and failings I am also not being totally satisfied in Christ. I guess it goes both ways - it all amounts to thinking too much of ourselves and not enough of Him.

Barb