oh the shame...

Man, I'm beginning to realize how shameful it feels to admit that I can't do anything of worth with my own will power. My heart is so inclined to try to get things done my own, or thinking about how I myself can do things, without even considering or giving a second thought to the ways of God. Foolish person I am. I seriously need to learn to let go of my own pride and find all the more joy in Christ and know that Christ is better above all else, especially my own pitiful "merit".

Hebrews 12:1-2

[Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.]

Christ had so much joy in bringing sinners to God that He threw the shamefulness of the cross as far away as possible from Himself. He didn't even have a second thought about how shameful it would be. What a source of encouragement!