Stay Humble

And with this thought, I woke up.

One of the key elements of living a life of faith is humility.

I am reading through Leviticus right now with our church doing the bible in 1 year. There is absolutely no way I could begin to understand such things. I cannot understand the reasons for including these scriptures nor the purpose they serve. I know, however, there is both reason and purpose. I know this because I have been humbled. I have repented and I have been saved. In knowing those 3 things I learn new things about God every day and 1 of those things is that every single word serves a purpose. I don't have to worry about the understanding. That's handled.

But I do wonder this morning if this lack of understanding doesn't allow me a peek behind the curtain to see how God's plan of salvation is steeped in humility. To not understand something and yet trust requires a vulnerability that allows faith to grow.

Humility: a modest or low view of one's own importance.

Humble: Showing a modest or low estimate of one's own importance; low social, administrative or political rank.

The story of Jesus coming to be born in a manger. God coming to us as the son of man. Such humility.

He excluded no one yet only the humble, only the low, only those who knew they were in need approached him humbly and without pretense. They were hungry for physical healing that led to spiritual salvation.

He was/is patient. He is kind. He didn't envy and he did not boast. He was not proud nor rude. He was not self seeking. He was not easily angered. He kept no record of wrongs. He does not delight in evil. In fact, he rejoices in the truth. He always protects and always trusts his father's will. He always hopes and always perseveres.

He never fails. Jesus never fails.

Humility does not always present at face value. Something or someone may appear humble but in fact they are only about themselves and their own power and way. Something or someone may appear arrogant but are called to persevere through a season with strength untold.

Rick mentioned this funny vision of the devil in a recent story. He was sitting in a red velvet chair with his feet up, cigar in one hand and whiskey in another. I believe he even touted a pair of horns. I think that vision is hilarious but that is all it is. Both Rick and I know the real anti christ is beautiful and cunning and tells you all the things you want to hear in order to convince you that he holds all of your power. These animated images of the devil have served his purpose so well.

With humility comes a gift - discernment.

discernment: the ability to judge well. As a Christian; perception in the absence of judgement with a view to obtaining spiritual guidance and understanding.

Without humility we do not receive fully the gift that is the Holy Spirit. And with the Holy Spirit comes the attributes of Jesus, the fruit if you will. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

There is fruit produced no matter who we believe some just doesn't look quite as appealing. Fear, anger, bitterness, resentment. That is the fruit of a dying tree.

I read recently that sharing biblical principal was equal to the feeling of Sharia Law being forced on them. I thought in reading this that the use of the word "force" is the key word in both his sentence and the very little I know about Sharia Law. That is a bold statement, one of which I can appreciate in its conviction.

It is hard if not impossible to hold any kind of middle ground in this time. But that is not my job. My job is to simply stay humble and let the cross bridge the gap.