Chopping the Poppy

Australians call it "chopping the poppy". It means cutting someone down to size. Aussies don't go for thinking more highly of yourself and they enjoy putting someone in their place. I just read where the governor of New York,Eliot Spitzer, has been caught using a high priced call girl service. The thing that makes it interesting is not just that he is a governor but the type of governor he was. His nickname was "Mr.Clean" because of his emphasis on fighting corruption. It seems there is a certain kind of elation that comes through the reporting of a story like this and a certain satisfaction in reading a story like this. One New York congressman decided not to try to hide his giddiness. Rep. Peter King said,"I never try to take advantage or gloat over a personal tragedy. However, this is different. This is a guy who is so self-righteous, and so unforgiving". Consider the poppy chopped. But what is it in me that is drawn to a story like this. Why does Peter King feel good about it? Eliot Spitzer is not as good a man as he tried to lead people to believe. True enough. I think there are two things going on inside of me. One is the deep desire to think I am better than Eliot Spitzer. Can you believe he was acting like he was fighting corruption and at the same time he was calling high priced hookers to his hotel room the night before Valentine's Day? What a cad!! And if I was talking to you now we would both be convinced that I was a better man that Eliot Spitzer and you could convince me you are better as well. I am thinking I would have a harder time convincing God. I want so badly to be better than others. That is why I read the whole article about Eliot. I liked the way it made me feel...about me. Of course we both know that I am not much different than Eliot...not really. I want people to think of me as better than I really am. If I was really much better than Mr. Spitzer I wouldn't need a Savior but we all know different. Sin is always so much easier to see in other people. Here we are coming up on Easter. It is the day we celebrate the exquisite love, sacrifice, forgiveness, beauty, and power of a God who moved heaven and earth to reconcile us to Himself. I love Easter. Why is it that I detest needing a Savior? I mean I love it and I hate it. I want a Savior and I want to feel like I am better than other people and I can't have both. So, today, I pray for Mr. Spitzer and his family and I am thankful I have a Savior who loves me enough to continue to be my Savior even when I entertain thoughts that my sin is not as bad as someone else's. If "Chopping the Poppy" is putting someone in their place then the only thing that seems to be able to do that to me is Jesus. From one poor sinner to another this is just a reminder that He really is a wonderful Savior.