Some “Rooftop Moments” from our students…
Have you ever had a “rooftop moment”? You know, the moment in your mind where you think you have it made, have it all figured out, you are perfectly content with your life, your world, your friends, everything. It’s a dangerous moment to have. Why? Because somehow you think you earned/deserved/worked hard for that rooftop moment. You left God out of your accomplishment, your raise, your promotion, your role as a leader…and did not give Him the credit. It’s not about you…it’s not about us…it’s about God. In Daniel 4: 29-30, King Nebuchadnezzar had a big rooftop moment that eventually cost him. Recently, we asked some of our students what their “rooftop moments” were. Here are their responses.
My rooftop moment was when….....
“I had gotten an internship with something that’s hard to do and I thought it was all because I did the work and I bragged about it to everyone. But then I lost it because that person left. I apologized to God and realized he can take anything away. Two days ago I was told I could probably keep my internship and the first thing I did was thank the Lord and asked for help to be humble about it. I absolutely love the walk and every week it opens my heart more and more to Christ.”
“I tweeted a quote out of a book I’m reading out of pride. The content of the tweet totally pertained to the sin I was committing. I am so foolish.”
“At work when someone told me I’m good at what I do…I have taken credit for it, like I have the talent, that I deserve my salary, and that I have earned my position of leadership. The truth is that it is all a gift of God, not of myself - so that none should boast.”
“My whole life of legalism. I was trapped in thinking that my “good” lifestyle choices were enough to make me holy. But only through Christ’s love and redemption am I anything but wretched, my good works mere ‘rags’.”
“High school popularity and recognition by those above me in the church. Putting my position on my own talent and not on the Lord’s grace and blessings.”
“Recently, I got a new job. The job is great. I got it right out of school and I had been asking God if this is the job for me. Once I figured that this is currently where God wanted me, I got a pretty big head. Like, ‘look at this job and how great it is.’ But really, the job is a gift and now that I realize that, the job got better.”
“My rooftop moment this week was when someone complimented me on my humbleness…what a joke.”
“Reading a UT-wide email that praised my leadership accomplishments.”
“Thinking that because I have a college degree, I deserve a certain salary, benefits, position.”
“I became a nanny for a Hindu family and I thought I would be the one to save them.”
“I took advantage of the fact that my schooling was paid for when really that is a huge priviledge and gift from God.”
“When I was in high school, I went on a mission trip. And on the trip, my “goal” was to bring at least one kid to Christ. At the end of the week, I actually got to lead a kid to Christ and thought it was all because of me. But it was really a priviledge through God.”
“When I was voted on the Homecoming Court in high school, I had a rooftop moment.”
“Going downtown to handout cheeseburgers and feeling like I am doing a “good” work for someone who “needs Jesus.” In reality, I need Jesus just as much and am no better.”
