Appendix 6. No One Can Lift Their Head

No one can lift up their head before God. However much someone has prayed, however many gifts they have received, however much they have given, even if they have died a martyr, no one can lift their head before God. Yet we see people who, once they think they have prayed a great deal by their own measure, hold their heads high before God and treat others in the church carelessly. Let someone give a little more than others at church, and the way they look at the poor changes; they become quick to judge and criticize. On what grounds? Their own thoughts. In my view… as I see it… They are gripped by the thought that they have done more than that person over there. But the unhappy question is whether God sees it the same way. God will tell them plainly that this is only what they think.

Before God, no one can lift their head. Even the elders before the throne take off their crowns and lay them before it; how much less, then, can those of us who live with our feet planted on this earth? We must be brought low! We must be humble! We must count our brothers and sisters in God wiser than ourselves, richer in faith, and more faithful servants. Only then can we take one more step toward God. I hope you will let go of the thought that you can accomplish anything. There is nothing in this world that I can do for God by my own reasoning and in my own strength. We are simply joining God where he is at work, and that is why, even if I have offered my very life to God, I still cannot lift my head.