HEART CHIPS

When was the last time you said, "I can do this, I'm in control;" then you come crashing down, embarrassed that you bungled it?

All because you depended entirely on yourself. Oh yes, I have a lot of these faux pas. Had one recently. Trite, really, but humbling nonetheless.

This teacher who's so used to speaking before large audiences struggled with her words and totally lost them in front of a few people. 

Irritating for someone who takes pride in her gift of gab.

Pride! Aye, there's the rub.

Seemingly insignificant mistakes expose the chips of our hearts. When we're so sure of ourselves—self-sufficient, that's when we realize we can't do things on our own.

We are by nature control  freaks, in varying degrees, right?

"I'll prove to them who's right."

"I'm way smarter."

"If only I could..."

We fail nonetheless and oftentimes hurt the people we love—even ourselves.

Failed relationships, disastrous careers, even national disasters—caused by politically-motivated decisions resulting in economic and social dysfunction—can be traced back to what we may term here as "Me-tology" or "I-cology".

Me-tology/I-cology 101 is easy to master. No need to enroll.

We've had it within us since birth—our sinful nature passed on to us by our first parents since they decided they had the wherewithal to do things on their own.

Me-tology is all about flaunting carnal-minded me-me-me, my desires, my plans, my rights, my innate ability to produce results. Wonder why children fight?

Our day-to-day stresses stem from our I-centered hearts: being unmindful of others' point of view, judging people based on your limited perspective, always thinking you're right or better, taking vengeance. Quite a list.

It's not so much the enormity of our challenges, but the state of our hearts, which the Lord cautions us about. Have we yielded all of our hearts' cavities to Him?

This heart of mine can be pretty deceitful and cold, making me veer as far away from God, especially when I don't pray and read His Word. Yes, even if you're a Christian!

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it," cautions Proverbs 4:23.

The moment I start thinking "I can do it," the sooner I realize I can't—on my own.

"I can do all things through Him (Christ) who gives me strength," Philippians 4:13. With Jesus, I can!

John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

The "doing" is still mine; the wisdom and direction all His. My Creator knows how and where I should point my nose. I just need to follow His lead.

And our big God is not just concerned with the big things. He's interested in our littlest concerns—yes, even in simple matters like opening your mouth.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for my self-sufficiency. You created me. You've deposited your abilities in me. Help me to realize that apart from you, I am mere dust and can't do anything by myself. I declare my dependence on you. Help me Holy Spirit, in Jesus' name.