I am a narcissist, both by nature and by upbringing. Arrogance pours forth from my lips; selfishness and pride are my default state and my native language.
But Jesus graciously confronts my narcissism by showing me my true nature:
“You say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”
He shows me that apart from Him I am a child of hell in need of salvation, a filthy cup in need of cleansing, a whitewashed tomb in need of resurrection. He uses my sins and weaknesses as a foil to His inexhaustible strength and unassailable righteousness:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
He confronts my self-righteous attempts to earn His favor and instead shows me the simplicity of a life of true faith:
“He has told you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Lord, help me to not be haughty, but to associate with the lowly, and to never be wise in my own sight. Humble me further, Lord, for
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”