The Orange Balloon

Luke 18:11-14

The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Twin children are walking with their parents through the fair. The kids have both been eyeing the shiny balloons they have seen throughout the park, and now the parents are finally going to buy them one.

As they approach the balloon vendor, they immediately see a problem: there is one bright shiny red balloon floating high in the air, and one mostly deflated one hanging limply near the vendor. The parents panic! This is the last balloon vendor before they leave the park! Of course, both kids are going to want the good balloon. What now?

One child screams out, “I want the nice blue one!” As the parents brace for a sibling argument, the other child calmly says, “I choose the other one.” Mom and Dad are shocked! “Are you sure you don’t want the good balloon,” his mom asks.

“No way,” the child answers back, “orange is my favorite color, and I like the way it will walk with me as I go along. That is the best balloon ever!”

Like the orange balloon, Jesus will always choose us when we are humble, not haughty. He chooses us when we are searching for him, not a know-it-all who doesn’t need him. He wants to walk beside us, not tower above us.

The Pharisee in today’s verse had it all, and he wanted everybody to know it. The tax collector begged God’s forgiveness and received it. Only the humble man, the orange balloon, found favor with God. Be the orange balloon!

Today’s Readings: Esther 3-8; Luke 18

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