Guest Devotionalist -- Ane Mulligan

"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God have mercy on me, a sinner.' I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." -- Luke 18: 13-14

Humbling the Ham

by: Ane Mulligan

What makes an actor, or any entertainer for that matter, able to perform in front of an audience? One man's knees knock, he perspires profusely and hyperventilates, wishing the trap door in the stage floor would open. Yet the actor moves with grace and confidence. Why?

God wired the actor with a measure of-dare we call it-ego, along with his talent, to enable him to be comfortable in the spotlight. At the same time, God calls us to humble ourselves for His glory. So how do we accommodate both humility and the ham within? By remembering who gave us the talent and for whom we perform.

A simple "thank you" is sufficient when complimented on a performance, but offer God the praise, recognizing without His gifting, we'd flop. Give Him all the glory. The Bible says the proud will be humbled. Better to humble ourselves before the King, than be humbled in front of an audience.

Ane Mulligan has a varied professional past: hair dresser, legislative affairs director, and writer-her lifetime experience provides a plethora of fodder for fiction. She's co-owner of the popular literary blogs Novel Journey & Novel Reviews and has published dozens of plays and several articles. Ane served as creative arts director for The Family Church for eleven years. Residing in Suwanee, GA with her husband, they are owned by one very large dog.