Article August 9, 1993 Issue

Progress, and redeeming our unredeemed strengths

Talents and abilities shine in a way we've never imagined when we learn their spiritual origin.

Donald R. Rippberger

I once worked for a full year on an important project, only to find it rejected by people who knew little of it. At first I felt disturbed and resentful; it seemed they just did not understand. But as I began to pray about my situation, this Biblical passage from the Old Testament came to thought: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding" (Prov. 3:5).

Had I been leaning on my own understanding? Did I believe that any ability I had brought to the assignment was my own? By virtue of my education was I better than others? Because of my profession or administrative abilities, did I believe I could run others? Wasn't it my purpose instead to follow Christ Jesus' example and to serve God through humility, wisdom, love? It became clearer than ever to me that all human strengths must be redeemed to serve our Father, no matter to what human heights we may have risen.

Usually we are willing to let go of envy, deceit, hate, when we become aware of how they hurt us. But our unredeemed strengths often parade as helpful goodness, though unallied with God. It's significant that Jesus rebuked a man who came to him, calling him "good Master" (see Matt. 19:16, 17). Jesus made a point of acknowledging that all goodness and power have their source in God, and he praised God by reflecting Him. All the genuine good seen in humanity is derived from God. It has no power of its own. Unredeemed human strength would claim a selfhood apart from God. Human goodness without a divine source is an intoxicating, egotistical illusion, which would presume to turn God's will and righteousness into self-will and self-righteousness. Divorcing the human from the divine loses sight of what makes goodness strong.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
Hope in hard times
August 9, 1993
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit