Julie Andrews 😊

I could mention famous people, but they’re generally confident by default. And we need to distinguish between confidence and arrogance. Generally speaking, humility is considered a desirable characteristic, but that shouldn’t degenerate into fear. Julie Andrew’s character, Maria, in the Sound of Music was terrified of her new job, but she overcame her fear. It’s a silly song in some ways, but I think we can sometimes do something like that to lift ourselves into a spirit of confidence.

In the New Testament, arrogant, self-righteous people are condemned. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”. And one of the most memorable parables is the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. The Pharisee, though he gave credit to God, seemed full of confidence in his righteousness. By contrast, the tax collector simply said, “God be merciful to me, a sinner”. One depended on himself, the other on God. So, we rely on God for salvation, and we also depend on him throughout our lives, though we ourselves need to actively seek to live for him too. And part of that is being self confident, yet seeking God’s help through prayer and any other resources that he provides, whether spiritual or secular.

Philippians 4:12-13
¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

John 15:5 is interesting. What about great things that are accomplished by people who have no faith in Jesus? I can think of two ways of explaining this. Without Christ, the devil would have a freehand in the world and nothing good would be done by anyone. So, Jesus, through the Holy Spirit can influence people who’ve never even heard of him. He is the true light who gives light to everyone. (John 1:9)

And even the devil could not do anything unless God permitted it. But perhaps Jesus is speaking more in terms of spiritual accomplishments – bearing spiritual fruit. If you had special spectacles that enabled you to see true spiritual work, you might see the world in an entirely different way. Someone with millions might donate a substantial amount to the poor. Someone poor might give whatever they have out of love and service to God. Which one is more valued in God’s eyes? Think of the widows mite:

Luke 21:1-4
As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

It’s not that Jesus didn’t approve of what the rich were doing, but ultimately God looks on the heart and puts much more value on those who look to him and trust in him.

Here are some hymns about being confident in Christ:

Philippians 1:3-6
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.