The three things I liked this week were a poem, a prayer, and an article.

First, I liked Malcolm Guite’s poem “Man Well Dressed.” It reminds me of that line from the Sovereign Grace song, “All Praise to Him,” where we sing, “All praise to Him, who humbly came, to bear our sorrow, sin, and shame.”

That old voice from the past: I was afraid,
For I was naked; and I hid myself.
And somehow I’m still there, lost in that glade,
Feeling exposed, ashamed, and, in my stealth
Still holding the fell fruit. He finds me as
My withered fig leaves fall away, and still
He clothes me, for the way of heaven is
Always to give and give to those who steal.

But now the skin I’m clothed in is his own,
He makes himself a garment for us all,
At once the bridegroom and the wedding gown.
I step forth from the thicket of my fall
Already dressed in every gift he gave,
Gathered and girdled in his circling love.

Second, I liked J. V. Fesko‘s editorial for the latest edition of Themelios titled, “The Council of Nicaea and Christian Character.” I’m particularly interested in this topic because its connection between theological formation and Christian character closely aligns with the argument of my thesis.

Third, I liked the Litany of Humility––a traditional Christian prayer of surrender that asks God to free us from the need for recognition, approval, status, control, and comparison, and to give us a heart that is content to live a hidden life of love and prayer. Here it is:

O Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, hear me.

From my need to be admired, deliver me, O Jesus.
From my need to be loved and affirmed, deliver me, O Jesus.
From my need to be praised, deliver me, O Jesus.
From my need to be honored and respected, deliver me, O Jesus.
From my need to be noticed and recognized, deliver me, O Jesus.
From my need to be preferred over others, deliver me, O Jesus.
From my need to be consulted and considered important, deliver me, O Jesus.
From my need for the approval of others, deliver me, O Jesus.

From my fear of being overlooked, deliver me, O Jesus.
From my fear of being rejected, deliver me, O Jesus.
From my fear of being criticized or corrected, deliver me, O Jesus.
From my fear of being misunderstood, deliver me, O Jesus.
From my fear of being forgotten, deliver me, O Jesus.
From my fear of being embarrassed or humiliated, deliver me, O Jesus.
From my fear of being treated unfairly, deliver me, O Jesus.
From my fear of what others may think of me, deliver me, O Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, give me the grace to desire it.

That others may be honored more than I,
Jesus, give me the grace to desire it.

That others may receive the recognition I desire,
Jesus, give me the grace to desire it.

That others may be chosen while I am overlooked,
Jesus, give me the grace to desire it.

That others may be praised while I remain unnoticed,
Jesus, give me the grace to desire it.

That others may be preferred to me,
Jesus, give me the grace to desire it.

That others may become more fruitful, more respected, and more admired than I,
provided that I become the person you have called me to be,
Jesus, give me the grace to desire it.

O Jesus, gentle and humble of heart,
make me content to be known by you,
faithful before you,
and free from the need to be important in the eyes of others.
Amen.