“All who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)

It’s a phrase that’s made its way into everyday wisdom—even outside of religious settings. We say things like:

“Pride comes before a fall.”
“What goes up must come down.”
“The higher you climb, the harder you fall.”
“Empty vessels make the most noise.”

And while all these sayings carry a certain truth, they don’t quite capture what Jesus is saying here.

In the parable, Jesus describes two men going up to the temple to pray. One is a Pharisee, the other a tax collector.

The Pharisee is confident. He recounts his spiritual résumé—his achievements, his goodness, his image.

He’s not exactly lying—he probably does fast and tithe. But he missed the point. He wasn’t praying to be known by God. He was performing. Sometimes when we pray we offer to God what we think will impress him. Or we simply remain wrapped in ourselves and chatter about the things that make us comfortable.

The Pharisee came to God to present an image of himself, not to have a relationship. He trusted in what he had made of his life.

But whatever we accomplish on our own steam—
even if it brings influence, power, success, or admiration—
it doesn’t last.
It can’t give us life.
It crumbles.

And God isn’t interested in images.
He wants us.

The tax collector shows us this: he speaks directly to God a humble, honest, vulnerable prayer that opens the door to a relationship with God even though he knew that what he was doing with his life was not something he was proud of.

He doesn’t pretend. He just shows up—with all of his regret, his weakness, his need. And that’s what moves the heart of God.

I remember the day I realized this in my own life—
that all that is good within me, any good that I do, is a gift of the Spirit.
I remember the freedom that swept over me.
The relief.
The tears.
The gratitude.

I didn’t have to prove anything anymore. I didn’t have to earn the love that was already being given. All I had to do was receive it. And let it change me.

Humility opens the door to relationship and grace. God doesn’t want your résumé. He wants your heart. So whether it is pride or fear that leads you to chatter about yourself to God, today come before him and simply say:

“God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

Just a simple offering of your heart to the One who loves you.

And if you’re afraid that God doesn’t love you—or afraid to come close to Him—hear this: God doesn’t want your résumé. He doesn’t need your achievements, your image, or your explanations. He just wants you.

Image credit: Photo by Arina Krasnikova

Praying with this Passage of Scripture