What's Your Apron Look Like?

Do you even own an apron?

I'm laughing because I don't. But I know several grill masters that do & you use whenever you're working your magic in the kitchen or own your grill. Did you know that Peter encourages everyone to have an apron? 

In 1 Peter 5:5 his instructions to each of us is that we are to "clothe ourselves with humility toward each other, because (here's the reasoning behind the instruction) God is actively against proud or arrogant people but shows His favor or Grace to those who are humble in heart."

Paul is using the image of a person putting on an apron to serve a meal to others when he says we are to "Clothe Ourselves with Humility". We are to put on the apron of service towards others. When we in humility consider others to be better than ourselves (Phil. 2:3-4) that's no easy task. It's gonna get real fast. We're gonna get dirty. Serving people is Messy. It's hard & it's risky. They hurt. They're rude & inconsiderate. 

The verbs Peter uses are present tense which simply means they are a continuous action. This is the daily reality for Jesus followers. To look for ways in which to serve one another in Love. For God is openly hostile towards arrogant people. God does not care for people filled with pride. Why? Well consider:

• Prideful people won't listen to others and certainly don't listen to any sort of correction. The thought of Jesus being "Lord"??? That's not gonna happen. They might look good outwardly, but Jesus said their "hearts" were a million miles away. They give a head bob to scripture but they're not humble enough to follow it. 
• Prideful people don't ask for help for fear of how it will make them look weak or insufficient.
• Prideful people never make mistakes (in their eyes) sooo, they never need to apologize. Any problems that arise must be someone else's fault. Only the weak admit wrong.
• Prideful people resist authority. Whether at work, in the church or in the home. I mean unless it's them. Then others must bow the knee to their power. Arrogant people are a threat to unity for they see everyone existence as to serve them. They are not team players, rather they only care about themselves.

These people are in the church. They are in your families. They are where you work. They are on your HOA's & school boards. But here Peter is writing to Christians. So he says, "You follower of Jesus, HUMBLE YOURSELF" (v.6).

Humble people are grateful and you'll frequently hear them say "Thanks". Humble people look for ways to include others. Because their eyes are off themselves they're eager to serve others (v. 2). Humble people ask questions. They want to learn. They are curious about others. The people God favors are helpful to others. They don't look to use their position to leverage power for themselves. Rather, they're thinking how can they use their influence to build into those around them. 

This Thanksgiving get your apron on! Get Dirty serving the people Jesus loves. Live gratefully because of all that God has done for you in Jesus. Say Thank You loudly. May God give you the grace to see the subtle forms of arrogance that have taken root in your heart. Admit it, serve Jesus, and He will exalt you in His right time.

Happy Turkey Day!

Pastor Mike 

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