When Attitude Isn't Everything

It took a while, but some time ago I transitioned from being a Christian afraid of hell to being in love with heaven. If you jumped in the Wayback Machine and talked to me as a young Christian, I'm not sure I would have understood the difference. It's the glass half full/half empty thing. But it's even more than that. I think we're light years away from understanding what "on earth as it is in heaven" really means. If we get our heads and hearts around that, we could impact the universe. I have no idea how, but it just seems possible.

However, this attitude of walking in the Kingdom NOW carries with it a weakness, at least for me it does. It's easy to feel almost a little cocky about faith and destiny and royal authority. I have to remember to repent! I have to repent of my careless attitude that I know I'm saved and loved and human. There are plenty of people who have to deal with me daily who would be happy to point to my shortcomings. It's a little comforting in know that Paul bemoaned his own sinfulness, but it doesn't excuse mine. Sometimes I can be so heavenly minded that I'm no earthly good. Even though I see heaven, I need to feel earth and maintain humility in what I do.

And that humility doesn't require a whipping session. It means honest repenting for what I know I've done. And it also means sincere thankfulness for every blessing in my life. It's the glass half full approach to humility. Acknowledging sin and embracing thankfulness. Having an attitude of gratitude goes hand in hand with honest confession.