Standing or Kneeling

Luke 18:13

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said,
‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’”

As you move toward 2026, you may be setting resolutions—decluttering your life, improving your health, sharpening your skills, reaching new goals. You want this to be your best year yet. I get it. The Lord has given you another year, and you want to steward it well.

But here’s something worth considering as you reach forward: how are you going about it?

Merit has its place, but mercy often carries us further. Strength can accomplish much, but humility and receptivity open doors strength alone never can. Muscles may get results—but kneeling gets help.

Luke gives us the right posture for moving into a new season. Standing tall communicates confidence. Kneeling acknowledges need—and need is where grace meets us.

Jesus tells this parable to people who were confident, not corrupt. Their issue wasn’t rebellion; it was self-assurance. They trusted their moral standing and quietly measured themselves against others.

Two men go to pray.
One stands tall.
The other bows low.

The Pharisee speaks first. His prayer is polished and impressive. He thanks God—but never asks God for anything. He lists his fasting, his giving, and his separation from “sinners.” His prayer rises—but only as far as his résumé.

Grace doesn’t add to our résumé—it replaces it. What God requires is not our record, but our need.

The tax collector cannot even lift his eyes. He beats his chest and prays a single sentence:
“God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

Jesus’ verdict is stunning: this man goes home justified.

The Pharisee stood on his achievements—and fell.
The tax collector fell on mercy—and stood justified.

So as you step into 2026, ask yourself honestly:
Are you standing in strength—or kneeling in trust?
Are you relying on muscle—or mercy?

One reason I love Luke’s Gospel is that he repeatedly shows how confidence and ego block grace. Again and again, Luke highlights outsiders who kneel their way into God’s favor—Zacchaeus, the sinful woman, the prodigal son, the repentant criminal on the cross, and here, a tax collector who simply asks for mercy.

Luke reminds us that grace does not meet us at the height of our confidence, but at the depth of our humility.

So as you move into 2026, kneel often. Trust deeply.
And let the mercy of God do the lifting.

Grace to you,
Cedric
Traditionalwriter@yahoo.com