I thought that this quote from Eugene Peterson is one of those that helps us to derail our attempts to maintain a subtle pridefulness. Subtle pride is what C.S. Lewis described as a focus on the self. It is pride because we are the center of our universe, and it is subtle because it is able to be masked as maturity or godliness.
I also thought that the beginning of this quote was a brilliant follow-up to my post from yesterday.
“Righteous is a common translation for the Hebrew term. “Righteous is out and out a term denoting relationship, and…it does in the sense of referring to a real relationship between two parties…and not to the relationship of an object under consideration to an idea.”…
he continues…
Perseverance is not the result of our determination, it is the result of God’s faithfulness. We survive in the way of faith not because we have extraordinary stamina but because God is righteous, because God sticks with us. Christian discipleship is a process of paying more and more attention to God’s righteousness and less and less attention to our own; finding the meaning of our lives not by probing our moods and motives and morals but by believing in God’s will in purposes; making a map of the faithfulness of God, not charting the rise and fall of our enthusiasms. It is out of such a reality that we acquire perseverance.
How does this speak to you?
Poiema 
This is so true…couldn’t be said any better! The “map of his faithfulness” is the key, looking back to see all he’s done and is doing…it’s all about Him & his righteousness 🙂
I couldn’t agree more, Aunt Sue!