The story...
"Rommel, you're such a good boy." I must've heard words like that, directed toward me, but I don't recall them. If I did, I'm not sure what those words would've meant. They likely would've meant that I was respectful, obedient, trustworthy, helpful ... Wait a second! That sounds like the Boy Scout law:
"A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent."
How does that compare with what God says is good?
"He has told you, mortal one, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8 (NASB)
The difference may be that the first one is a law, that boys are asked to strive toward, and the second requires walking humbly with God in a loving manner. How do I work out my life humbly - walking rightly with God and loving my neighbors? God is holy and I'm not. I was born selfish with a heart that's like an idol factory. Those idols were barriers between me and my relationship with God.
Message to me on a felt board as a 7 yr. old - I believed it.
As I grow older, through the seasons of life, I'm walking closer with God. Our relationship seems to bear His fruit - scripture says fruit's born through the Spirit of Christ who indwells me as a Christ one. Yes, I've put my faith in the Son of God and His great redemptive work. My old nature tempts me to idolize my own fantasy, where I may waste my: precious time, relationships, financial power, and even emotions. I'm positioned complete in Christ and without Him I'm wandering through life towards...
People within the only church in town would witness people walking humbly with God with loving hearts. They'd witness some Christ ones resting in peace through life's trials and sufferings as they journey toward separation from their body. They'll likely see the gap between their own reality and what God said they can be. God, the vine dresser, growing people in Christ (John 15:1-5).
Just for today...
"'The last thing I need is to be more humble.' Hadn't I been humble all my life, putting everyone's needs ahead of my own? . . . I had confused humility with humiliation . . . humility, I discovered, is the ability to see my true relationship to God and to my fellow human beings." Courage to Change (p. 161)
"What wonderful things could happen in my life if I could get rid of my natural impulse to justify my actions! . . . Being honest isn't easy . . . I know that self-deception multiplies my problems." One Day at a Time (p. 161)
"'I was afraid to say what was on my mind or in my heart for fear of being ridiculed, shunned, or criticized . . . Now I have a reputation for being direct, honest, and open . . . I can let others know how I think and feel . . . I have a right to share what is in my mind and heart." Hope for Today (p. 161)
"You're a good boy; Momma said - I did bad; Was she wrong?"
"She wanted better; Both her and me - Imagined truth; Just ain't real."
"God sees me good; Thru His son - Peacefully believing; Son in son." Am I a Poet?