I guess it's safe to say that I absolutely detest foot aches.
So, why not just wear flats, you ask? Well, I fall into the "petite" club where I stand at only 5' 1" tall, which is why I break out the pumps to give me that added lift--at least when I dress up. Well, later Saturday night, after I finished up the final event, I pulled my flats out of my oversized hand bag and slipped them on. Oh, they felt like pillows stroking my feet. By then, however, it was too late.
The damage had already been done from standing, stomping, jumping and simply being in those extremely high shoes that I'm convinced are more suitable for a window display than a woman's foot. I paid a painful price to stand taller.
As you well know, I tend to extract lessons from everyday occurrences and this one got me thinking about a spiritual application of a practical principle. Here it goes. When we begin employing methods to lift ourselves up, in order to stand taller, rather than waiting for God to do the exalting, we wind up hurt in the end. We go through unnecessary pain and hardship when we slip our feet into the shoes we want to be in, while leaving God's purpose and plan completely out of the equation.
Sadly, a self-sufficient, materialistic, do-it-yourself mentality has been embraced by many Christian women. I have never in all my days heard so many of God's people talking about how to "cash in" or how to be a "superstar," instead of perpetuating the biblical formula for exaltation, which is this:
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time" (1 Peter 5:6 NIV).
According to the word of God, the way up is down. We have to find ourselves kneeling at the feet of Jesus and entrusting our destiny to Him. After all, only He is the one who is able to order our steps and bring us into our place of purpose.
You know, the other day, a Publisher sent me a book by a well respected African American female author about career strategies to advance women in the workplace, hoping to get the book featured in EEW Magazine. I sat down and began looking over the book and reading chapters. The more I read, the more I realized that there was a key and essential ingredient missing from this author's body of work.
There was nothing in there about praying, seeking God for guidance, waiting on the Lord for revelation, or honoring God with a lifestyle that pleases Him so He can exalt you.
Nope.
There were only man-made strategies like rubbing shoulders with all the right people, working to be better than your competition, and finding as many opportunities as possible to get noticed and shine.
While the career advice in the book would be viewed as solid and practical in the mainstream, I know what the Bible says: "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another" (Psalm 75:6,7 KJV).
If you want to be elevated, the only person you need to draw close to is the Lord. Submit yourself to His will and way. Only He can do the exalting.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
