Considering my Proper Station

Scripture:
Lord, my heart is not proud;
my eyes are not haughty.
I do not get involved with things
too great or too wondrous for me.
Instead, I have calmed and quieted my soul
like a weaned child with its mother;
my soul is like a weaned child.
Psalm 131:1-2

Observation: As the psalmist considers the proper attitude of a faithful person and claims that faith for himself, he compares himself to a weaned child. A weaned child is in a unique stage in life. It is no longer fully dependent on its mother's milk for nutrition, but is now able to consume anything. That said, it is still a child, with little ability to actually hunt and gather its own food. In other words, it is capable of eating whatever is edible, but is not capable of actually finding and preparing such food. There is a very limited independence, but a broad and general dependence.

In this position, pride is impossible. One has so little ability to actually survive on one's own that their heart cannot be prideful, their eyes cannot be haughty. Such a child cannot get involved in anything great or wonderous or important. Just because the child can eat steak, that doesn't mean it can become a cattle rancher.

Application: The more I look at my professional position, the more I understand how little I can do. I do not have some of the basic skills of business management. I should not really be involved in any important endeavor. I am just a child, capable of eating (understanding) everything, but incapable of running anything important.

And the Lord reminds me, this is exactly where I should want to be. I should not want to be prideful in success, or desirous of advancement into a greater position or calling. Instead of all this, I should simply want to calm and quiet my soul, and find peace in the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, as you know I have concern about my position and career. This concern is not about some grand advancement of myself, but rather just for security of income and stability for my family. Here and now, and surrender this to you. May I simply calm and quiet my soul, and though I can consume anything, I fully trust that you will be the one who provides for me. I can earn and obtain nothing for myself, so I will not strive to do so. I will have no pride in any position, and I have no desire to get involved in anything too great for my station. I rely upon you alone, and simply desire to do my best work, where I am. Wherever you have placed me is certainly my proper station in life. Amen.