We are beggars: this is true.

"We are beggars: this is true."
"If there's one thing I know in this life; we are beggars all."

The former quotation is the last written words of Martin Luther, scrawled on a scrap of paper shortly before his death. The latter, an inspired lyric by Dustin Kensrue of Thrice. Check out the above song for a thoroughly musical and lyrical conviction of your truly poor state in all things.

I cannot claim even my own name. I cannot keep my heart beating while I sleep. I cannot keep the atoms that compose my body from succumbing to the second law of thermodynamics, to utter chaos and entropy. What would this mean for how I view the world? What does my pitiful and humble state do to all my actions? This acknowledgment should cause deep concern and thought even in the mind and heart of the most staunch atheist. This thought should melt the heart of the Christian. This thought will likely pass by millions as they cling to pride and a sense of self-control. The question remains: What is man to do upon realizing his state as a cosmic, poor, beggar?

Perhaps gratitude would first blossom. This is perhaps the most common affection that grows from the beggar's soul. Gratitude can be fleeting, insincere, and mere lip-service to an unseen God who acts as a cosmic vending machine...or it could change the beggar's life. The beggar might fall on his face and thank God for all that he has bestowed on him, for "In him we live and move and have our being", [ Acts 17:28 ]. Perhaps the greatest conclusion and joy the beggar might come to is this: the exaltation of a very powerful and giving God by the very weak, created human. And then man would rejoice in God. For the one who is in Christ, God is for 100%. 100%. Cancer is for the Christian's good. A loving wife is for the Christian's good. Persecution is for the Christian's good. "For those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" [ Romans 8:28 ]. All things. The needy Christian is supplied with all that is needed from God, who gives all things graciously and mercifully.

When the time comes that you forget your humble state Christian, ponder this: What can you claim as your own?