I have recently had a very difficult season in my life. From the death of a close friend, to a set of very hard personal and family issues. One of the most common prayers that we ask of God in such a season is, why? What are you doing in all this “hard knock stuff”? In this particular season the Father was rather quick to speak a word to me that was not too comforting, but filled with love. He told me that He was teaching me humility….
Humility has to do with what we actually believe about ourselves in relationship to the world around us. Are we the hero? Are we the villain? Or, are we the dearly loved children of the supreme, all knowing, all powerful God?
It never ceases to amaze me how counter cultural to America, and me, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is. Jesus teaches us that in the Kingdom of heaven it is the childlike who will lead (Matt 18:3). He calls us to come and learn from Him, because He is “gentle and humble of heart” (Matt 11:28-28). He puts it right to the heart of the issue when He says “the greatest among you will be your servant.” He constantly rebuffed the opportunities for fame and chose the path of simple and deliberate obedience to His Father. This all culminates in a painful, humiliating death alone on a cross. Yet this humility, and His humiliation, is the greatest point of victory in the history of humanity (not an ounce of hyperbole in that statement)!
Friends, the Kingdom of Heaven is nothing like the American culture. We must be constantly aware that our God is much more concerned with our good character than our success. One of the greatest prayers we can pray is, “Lord, teach me humility. Teach me to be like you.”
Our God already has all the power and stuff he could every want or use. What our God is after is a people who look like His Son. A humble, gentle people, who know Him intimately and, who in faithful dependence, look to Him for direct guidance and true reward.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10
Will you join me in crying out for repentance? Lord, forgive my pride and pursuit of stuff, position and power. I want to know You more. Lord teach me, teach us, the humility of heaven. Teach us your ways, Oh Lord!