A Decorated Jackass

If, however, you feel and are inclined to think you have made it, flattering yourself with your own little books, teaching, or writing, because you have done it beautifully and preached excellently; if you are highly pleased when someone praises you in the presence of others; if you perhaps look for praise, and would sulk or quit what you are doing if you did not get it—if you are of that stripe, dear friend, then take yourself by the ears, and if you do this in the right way you will find a beautiful pair of big, long, shaggy donkey ears.  Then do not spare any expense!  Decorate them with golden bells, so that people will be able to hear you wherever you go, point their fingers at you and say, “See, See!  There goes that clever beast, who can write such exquisite books and preach so remarkably well.”  That very moment you will be blessed and blessed beyond measure in the kingdom of heaven.  Yes, in that heaven where hellfire is ready for the devil and his angels.  --Martin Luther

I fear that far too often I have the heart of this decorated jackass.  Lord, rescue me from a heart that desires the praises of man.  Replace it with a heart that wants to see Christ, and Him alone, the boast of this generation.