What does it take to put pride aside and give God your all?
Well, if you’re human, it takes a lot considering the natural man eats pride for every meal. Kneeling and bowing your head in prayer is a good start. In fact, I’m kinda embarrassed to admit how much effort that one takes some nights.
But, most often it doesn’t have anything to do with what your arms and legs do, but has everything to do with where your heart is.
In the bible, you will read the phrase “in sackcloth and ashes” often. This is a phrase you will only see when individuals are asking for a miracle, or for forgiveness. Individuals would dress themselves in sackcloth, and kneel in ashes, as they prayed to the Lord. This was the utmost expression of humility and submission while pleading with God.
Esther. Daniel. Job. Jonah, the people of Nineveh, and several others.
It wasn’t a matter of formal ritual, but a matter of heart.
Now, sackcloth and ashes aren’t required for modern day miracles or daily repentance. But, good faith and a humble heart seem to be main ingredients.
Like, the young rich ruler in Matthew 19, our unwillingness to be "all in" may cause us to "walk away sorrowful". But there is great peace that comes when we put our full trust in the Lord. When we come placing our all at His feet.
Soft hearts change. Molded. Sculpted by the Divine Potter. May we come to the Lord more often with “sackcloth and ashes” and feel His love more abundantly in our lives. He loves you. He hears you. He knows you.
