Doormats, humility and justice

Today: Proverbs 27-29

While I was reading today's passage, this proverb struck me:

If you let people treat you like a doormat,

you'll be quite forgotten in the end.

Interesting, right?

When I initially read this, I thought it was a bit strange--namely because it could be interpreted as contradictory to other passages or the actions of other Biblical figures. For example, Jesus talked about "turning the other cheek" and personally allowed Himself to be beaten and killed. He was humble...but Jesus was no doormat.

There's a difference between humility and being a doormat. What is it? And why is this proverb so prescriptive in its encouragement to not be forgotten doormats?

To answer the first question, I think it's important to look to examples of humble strength in the Bible. For example, Jesus wasn't a doormat when He overturned merchants' tables in the Temple or when He stood up to men about ready to stone an adulterous woman. With humble strength, He defended honest worship and a human life endangered by judgmental hypocrites.

Other examples of humble strength?

• David chasing the giant Goliath with some stones: He put his life on the line to take a stand for God and his people.
  
• Esther defending the Jews before her husband the king: She stopped a brutal massacre through a combination of submission and courage (which may sound contradictory, but check it out again if you didn't read the book of Esther with me earlier).
  
• Daniel's refusal to pray to a false god: He honored a higher authority (the real God) and through his lions' den experience, showed a king and a nation the power of God's faithful protection.

Arguably, Christ's death wasn't a "doormat" situation at all, but another example of humble strength. Jesus died knowing that His death was for a greater purpose. He submitted to the will of His Father...and simultaneously, revealed His omnipotent power to conquer sin and death for all mankind. There's nothing "doormat" about that!

What's the danger of allowing ourselves to be treated like doormats? At its worst, tolerating this kind of abuse shows a lack of love for ourselves and ultimately, for humanity--God's creation. If we willingly allow our own minds, bodies or spirits to be terrorized for no greater cause, it's a poor example to other people.

The second part of this verse--"you'll be quite forgotten in the end"--is also eye-opening. I don't believe that the Bible teaches us to seek fame or notoriety for our own sake. However, I do believe that sometimes God calls us to be courageous, to walk in the confidence of humble strength. Why? At its best, humble strength brings attention, fame and notoriety to God Himself. Contrary to pride, this kind of courage is not selfish--it rises to take a stand for justice and to help other people, sometimes at great risk to your own safety or ego.

Tomorrow: Proverbs 30-31

A dream come true

Today: Genesis 46-47

Don't you love it when (good) dreams come true?

Joseph's life story is filled with many dreams...they almost seem like milestone markers defining key moments in his life. But in today's passage, it's Jacob's dream that comes true. As he's on his way to Egypt to reunite with Joseph, Jacob has a dream from God:

God spoke to Israel in a vision that night: "Jacob! Jacob!"
"Yes?" he said. "I'm listening."
God said, "I am the God of your father.

Don't be afraid of going down to Egypt.

I'm going to make you a great nation there.

I'll go with you down to Egypt;

I'll also bring you back here.

And when you die, Joseph will be with you;

with his own hand he'll close your eyes."

For much of his life, Jacob had mourned the loss of his son Joseph. Surprisingly, Jacob had the opportunity to reunite with him (thousands of years before Internet search tools or The Locator were even available!). To top it all off, the lives of Jacob and his entire family--the family God promised his father Isaac and grandfather Abraham--were saved from famine. And the best part of all? God was with him, guiding his steps and promising continued blessing.

The stories of Joseph and Jacob have been such incredible pictures of God's faithfulness. God's still faithful today. I'm going to do something a little different in this post and pray for anyone reading this...

I hope and pray for you.

I pray for the God-given dreams of your heart.

I pray that you'll see glimmers of God's direction and faithfulness in your life,

even when things seem tough.

I pray that you'll have the wisdom, patience and character

that helped Joseph and Jacob weather their stormy circumstances with grace.

I pray that you'll be able to forgive those who hurt you.

I pray that you will not be afraid--

that you'll walk in the kind of confidence that only comes

from trusting God.

I pray that you'll know and hear His voice and

let His vision be your vision.

And I pray that you'll see those God-given dreams come true.

Amen.

Tomorrow: Genesis 48-50