| Humility | | Print | |
 One might ask why anyone would even want to be humble in this "take-care-of-number-one, win-at-any-price" world. The answer is actually quite easy when viewed from an accurate Biblical perspective. Too often humility seems unappealing because we read the scriptural commands to be humble as the end of the story, when actually God often refers to them as a means to an end. Don't forget, the Bible promises the least will be the greatest, the humble will be exalted (at the proper time)., and he who loses his own life is the one who actually finds it. The issue, then, is not a defect in the attribute of true humility or in the ultimate results it brings. The problem is that the world, and even some Christians, have misdefined greatness, power, and success, and thus, have lost their way in the search for what they are longing for. They (or maybe, we) sometimes forget that true greatness is defined by God's opinion of us; that true power comes from the filling of the Holy Spirit; and true success is effectively magnifying the glory of God to a lost world. The only way to accomplish these three goals is to have a humble heart. So, the question becomes, "Okay, how do I achieve this humility? Obviously, God's power working in me is the key, but I know I have a part to play in this process, too!" The answer to this question can be found, at least in part, in spiritual discipline - God-recommended activities that lead to proper attitude. In other words, acts of the will that allow proper attitudes to follow along. These activities can be summed up nicely in the form of four "S's" from the classic spiritual disciplines: silence, submission, sacrifice, and service. Here are just a few practical ideas to fuel your thinking. SILENCE - Keep an opinion to yourself once in a while, or take an offense only to the Lord rather than seeking the comfort of your friends, or keep that juicy information about your enemy a secret. SACRIFICE - Make the decision to be obedient to God's word, even at the expense of your desires, or choose to show grace and forgiveness to someone, rather than experiencing the satisfaction that come from venting your "righteous indignation." SUBMISSION - Let somebody else's idea hold sway from time to time, even if your idea is better. SERVICE - Joyfully set aside your agenda to meet the needs of someone else whose need is greater or more urgent than our own. Sound easy? You know full well it isn't. But it's worth it, and you know that too, simply because it makes Jesus in us more attractive to a watching world. So, won't you join me on the downward trail of humility that leads to the summit of God's richest blessings? By the way, pack light. The path can seem long at times! (Steve) |
