Original Entry: July 24, 2008
McMinnville, OR
Seek the
Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps
you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger. Zephaniah 2:3
I grew up
in the redneck circle. Being one of the
few Wrangler wearing guys in a high school built on the beach in
California you quickly discover who your friends are. When I think of the redneck circles I
associate with I think of men who love to hunt, fish, and spend time in the
outdoors. Some of these men are farmers
and ranchers, some businessmen, others are public servants, and some are your stereo
typical blue collar guys, but all love to get dirty in various outdoor
adventures.
The first
unwritten code of the redneck circle is that you must be found worthy to be a
part of the redneck round table. Bragging
is one way of earning your place, but there is a more subtle way to become part
of this hillbilly network. It is through asking for help, “Hey guys I know
you’re the experts so can you help me so that one day I might be worthy to
stand in your circle?”
Men love
to be seen and experts. Men need to be respected by other men.
Men love
it when less experienced men seek our advice. It is another man’s way of
showing respect. Respect, as you know, is the greatest gift one man can give to
another. Humility is an endangered species in the redneck circle, nobody asks
for help, taking the risk of humility stands out like a suit and tie in the midst
of Wrangles and Carharts.
Here is
what I know. Those who don’t ask the questions do not get the answers.
Those that
do not get answers do not grow.
Those that
do not grow do not experience the joy of success that humility brings.
As
Zephaniah states, a person cannot be “humble”
if that person will not “seek the Lord.” To seek the Lord is to admit that we are
lesser and He is greater. John the Baptist got it when he said, “He must become greater; I must become less”
(John 3:30). When a man seeks the Lord with all his heart he is
acknowledging that God possesses everything and he posses, well, nothing.
The humility
in seeking the Lord is understanding one’s tremendous need of guidance from his
Creator. During those seasons in life
where a man does not seek the Lord for guidance he will discover that he will
turn to other sources of guidance such as his strength, wisdom, or the strength
of others.
But God’s commands
are better than any man’s solutions. Get
off your high horse of pride, step away
from the redneck circle long enough to realize you are not God and only God has
the power to truly guide you if you seek Him.
