ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS…
Mother had it right . She 'taught'me thankfulness and humility . She had incarnated them . I don`t remember any lectures on the subject ,just a life ,well lived , day in ,day out and I received the truth . In theory ,at least . It has taken a lifetime and I guess still is ,to incarnate it fully into my own experience . I cannot ever recall hearing Mum complain about anything ! She was a Pastor`s wife and there were many opportunities ,over the years ,to let rip . She never did –quite remarkable !
David was a flawed man ,passionate ( remember the dance ?) ,lustful ( remember Bathsheba ?) ,but he knew the mercies of God and his language and writings are full of thankfulness . In his kingship ,he remembers that it is God`s choice that put him where he was and to the end ,remained the shepherd king as humility reigned in his heart .
My daily reading ,a couple of days ago included the well known words:”Repent and change your attitude .”In other words:”change your mind and change your attitude.”Both ! If I was pushed ,I would say that these two characteristics ,are at the top of any list I would make up of what is required to follow Christ. Maybe ,I can try and justify that statement….. if you need to ,change your attitude !