Jimmy Buffet sang about how changes in latitude could maybe help with this problem. Hank Williams Jr wrote about it from another perspective. “It was an attitude adjustment, I guess it was his first time. An attitude adjustment, now he understands just fine.”
Have you ever dealt with someone who needed an attitude adjustment?
And was it because they seemed to have that kind of condescending attitude that can get on your last nerve? I get it. Been there.
But here’s something I realized. And I hope you do, too.
Nobody else on the planet can actually condescend to you? Or to anyone else for that matter. And no matter what anybody else says, you are equal in value to anyone.
The key word there is “value.” Because, let’s say you work for someone. Then, their position is higher than yours. After all, they hired you. And they pay you. But all you would need, to reverse that, is a change of position. Hire yourself and run your own business.
All of that has nothing to do with your value. And your value can be eternal. Because you were created in the image and likeness of God.
You’ve heard of Him. Right? Yeah, he’s the One who spoke words and the whole universe sprang into existence. And He didn’t create any other living thing on the planet in His image and likeness. Only humans. Then, He even gave us “dominion” over all the other creatures. But He still has dominion over ALL of creation, including you and me.
So, only He has more value.
And you could say God had a condescending attitude when He lowered Himself to become a man and take the punishment for our sins. He had always existed, in eons past, as a spirit. That’s a vastly superior state of existence without the constraints of flesh and bones.
But He made the choice to live as we live. In a flesh and bones body that has to deal with hunger, pain, and temptations. And then He took that step down a lot further. Because He died a horrible death for something He didn’t do. Why?
Just so you and I wouldn’t have to pay the wages for sin.
So, Jesus condescended to our level, and even lower, so you and I could have eternal life. Yeah, He went through unimaginable hell so we can have a Way to avoid it.
Here’s a song I wrote about it. You’ll have to tune into the FunderCast if you care to hear it. But be warned. It’s hope-filled. But it’s an attitude adjustment. Not my usual cheery style.
Consequential Servitude
God looked down on me.
He knew I was wrong;
Usurped my position I held for so long.
Yeah, He just took over where my brain left off.
He knew it was risky. He knew they’d all scoff.
Sometimes I’m so stupid, and so often blind,
Trade reason for feelings; mistakes underlined.
And so again; I behold the outer man
Through God’s condescending attitude,
And I defer to the perfect Architect
And this consequential servitude.
He spirals His thoughts through my barricade.
He knows I am feeble, yet hands me His blade.
And He tells me to rise up from my Phoenix blight.
He builds me a fortress of conquering Light.
When my clay is brittle, and crumbles to sand,
I long to be putty in my Master’s hand.
And then I can behold the inner man
Through God’s condescending attitude.
Because He chose me as His dwelling place
I choose this consequential servitude.
There were no incantations, no hallelujah chorus
He succumbed to His detractors; withstood an inquisition…
And then commended His spirit, relinquished His position,
And then He died a death that was for us!
Repeat 1st verse and 2nd chorus…end
© 2001 & 2008-09 Tony Funderburk
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