I was reading Titus 3 the other day. It was one of those mornings when you don't expect much from your Bible reading and you think, “Oh, yes, one of those concluding chapters in Paul's letters where he rambles on about a message for such-and-such and a gift for so-and-so”.

I dutifully prayed for God to open my eyes to see wonderful things in his word (Ps 119:18), and despite my sinfully low expectations, he did! It's astonishing, always, although it shouldn't be by now.

I've been growing increasingly bitter about my kids' primary school. I've always loved this school—it's warm, welcoming and community-focussed, and the teachers are enthusiastic and energetic—but I'm starting to see the cracks in the veneer.

<rant> My children are constantly missing out, as ‘religious education’ or ‘RE’ (which is what they call Scripture classes in Victoria) is shunted off (illegally) into competition with ‘important’ subjects. At the annual Christmas concert, I'm always painfully aware of the way the vice principal gives the RE performance of traditional carols a lukewarm reception (“That was good, thank you”) while the class performances of ‘Six white boomers’ and ‘Santa, O Santa, all glory to thee’ (I made that one up) a resounding “That was fantastic!”. Good programs drop off. Experienced teachers retire. The only Christian teacher will be leaving soon. I listen to the mums (not all, just some) standing around, complaining about this and that, and whining about so-and-so, and the gloomy, gossipy atmosphere overwhelms me.</rant>

Yes, I know I'm whinging.

But as I read the Bible, my attitude shifted—it turned right side up—and I saw things from God's perspective:

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:1-5, NIV)

When I overhear mums gossiping maliciously in the playground, it shouldn't surprise me. This is exactly where I would be without Jesus—living in malice and envy, hating and being hated. Nor should I be horrified by the (very mild) persecution of my children missing a class to go to RE, or receiving lukewarm praise at the Christmas concert.

Trace my unforgiving bitterness back to its root and you get pride—pride for being different and pride for not behaving like those mums over there. It's never struck me before, but what God wants from me is “true humility toward all men”—including non-Christians—for my salvation and character are not of my making. “For we ourselves were once” just like this. We are saved and changed only through God's “kindness” and “mercy”.

As I read God's words, my bitterness dropped away and was replaced with gratitude and awe. My pride shifted sideways and was replaced with humility. Judgementalism gave way to love, withdrawal gave way to involvement, and resentment gave way to prayer.

True humility toward all: now there's something to aim for.

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