Day 23            Read: John 13:1—17
         
         We get sick of this Pride in us,
              ...these feelings that are so easily hurt,
              ...this childish longing to be recognized
                  by the eyes of other men.
              ...the crippling fear of making a mistake
                 and being exposed as a fool.        
         Pride within us is never satisfied.
                 It never relaxes.
                 It never feels safe.
                 It’s like a shrew that keeps on nagging
                 even when we sleep.
         Why then should we be alarmed when He tells us we
         must die to Pride? Dying to Pride is the only
         escape from its awful bondage.
              “Lord, how can I die to Pride?”         
              “Become as I am. Get down on your knees
               and start washing feet.”
         
         A servant who is really a servant has only one
         purpose in life: to serve.    
         
              He isn’t working for tips or a bonus.
         
              His only desire is to please his Master
              by serving well...whether the guests
              appreciate him or not.
         
              He doesn’t try to be noticed.
              He doesn’t make an issue of being unnoticed.
              He just serves.
         
         Lord, teach me to become as Thou art. Let me learn
         of Thee who art meek and lowly of heart. Help me
         to study Thy lowliness day and night, until I can
         freely and naturally lay aside my “robes” and kneel
         at Thy holy side. . .and wash feet.