The Word for Today....Abase

To be honest, I did not know what the word "Abase" meant.  My imagination got the best of me, as I pondered what this word could mean.  I began to imagine someone with a lot of errr Southern charm and drawl trying to explain it to me..... "Hey there!  Abase?  Well you know that's an easy one!  Listen to me....it is like his youngin hit that ball and he ran around A Base."  Well maybe it is early but it did make me smile just thinking about it.

The reason I came across this word is not by accident or some event that occurred in my life.  I left my study bible at work and wanted to read the bible, but where to start?  It is a big book with a wealth of information between its covers.  So, I chose to go to the concordance and chose the first word, which happened to be "Abase."  The following scriptures were provided:

"He who exalts himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Matthew 23:12"

"I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Philippians 4:12"

I have had my own share of ups and downs in my life time.  I have a very challenging career.  I enjoy my work because I find that I never have the same day twice.  There is always a new goal, a problem to conquer, challenges to face and oh yes, a whole lot of success wrapped up in it, too.  I am a paper pusher, but the papers each day hold something new.  I have had some great moments in my career, and failure, too.  Those times of failure remind me to never get too big for my britches, because the things that allowed me positive recognition by my peers and upper management can be taken away in a nanosecond.  It was never intentional to fail, but things happen or a poor decision made and it all came crumbling down.  It is humbling.  It hurts. However, I am adult enough to understand that business is business and it is not personal when I am taken to task for something that did not get completed or did not go to plan.  I may not have always agreed with the way it was presented or the fact I seemed to be standing there all by myself when others were involved in it too, but there's a challenge in itself.  Do not look around you, take responsibility for your actions and just try to improve and correct what is needed.  My father shared with me one day, "Never forget where you started."  I did not understand his words right away, but later it became clear to me.  In reading the scripture today, I don't think God wants to see us brought down.  It is never easy when placed in such a situation.  It also makes me appreciate those times when my team is recognized for our success stories.  There are varying reasons why we find ourselves being "abased" in life.  How do we react to it?  Do we try to blame those around us? Do we hold ourselves accountable?  How can we make sure we do not repeat the mistakes made?  Be thankful and realize we are so blessed, and to not allow lofty pride to be our foundation, but rather grace and humility.