Scripture Reading: Matthew 14:22-33
A bad day for your ego is a great day for your soul.
Jillian Michaels
Many years have passed since Ken pastored a small church in the Midwest. While at this church, however, some remarkable things happened. Pastor Ken seemed to have a remarkable gift for prayers and healing. People came to him for help and asked him to pray, and many were healed of long-term ailments. Pastor Ken knew that he was only a channel of something God was doing, but in moments of honesty and self-reflection, he admitted to a sense of worth and pleasure that came with this gift. He didn’t like pride, but pride was indeed a problem.
One day, a parishioner of about 60 years of age came into Pastor Ken’s office and said, “Pastor, I have a problem.”
Ken asked, “What’s the problem?”
The older gentleman replied, “I am worried about my hearing.”
Accordingly, Pastor Ken rose from his chair and walked around his desk and placed his hands over the ears of the man seeking his help. “Lord Jesus, you know your servant here before you today. You know about his hearing. We ask now in your name …” And so the prayer continued, until finally, Pastor Ken removed his hands and asked, “How is your hearing now?”
The gentleman looked up at his pastor and said, “My ears and hearing are fine. I am worried about a court date I have next week. I might have to pay a fine!”
Pastor Ken told this story later in his life, and confessed: “I learned my lesson. Beware of your ego, lest it get in the way of what you are meant to do.” ~Melanie Silva
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times when I have put my own sense of importance to the forefront. Keep me mindful that it is not “I” but rather “you” that should be my primary concern. To you is the glory always. Amen.
