March 3, 2023
Melissa Valerio
Humility: Freedom from pride or arrogance; the quality or state of being humble.
Humility is not necessarily a bad thing, it’s only bad when it’s imposed on us to make a spectacle of us or embarrass us. We can all think of times we’ve been humiliated. Whether by an act of our own doing or by another person, we’ve all been there. It’s no fun. BUT it sure does keep us in check, doesn’t it?
I have a bible app on my phone that I often refer to when I’m searching for a specific verse. One day, I happened to be going through Romans when I discovered Romans 12:3 was highlighted. It reads “For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” (NASB) I don’t remember highlighting this verse or when I might have done it. I couldn’t even figure out how to un-highlight it. So, I left it alone. Then a few weeks later, I stumbled on the verse again. And then again. And again. Each time, I tried to figure out how to un-highlight it. Until I decided this must be the Lord trying to tell me something. I never thought of myself as better than anyone else or more highly than others. I knew I was nothing without Jesus. So, I took it to prayer and asked “Lord, are You trying to tell me something? Do I think I’m better than others? Is there something in me that’s displeasing to You?” And He said “I can do much more through a humble person than I can through a prideful person.” And I knew He was telling me that I was slipping down that slippery slope. This was my warning.
So, with that in mind, I went to the only Person I knew that could teach me how to stay humble… Jesus Christ. Here are His greatest examples (in my opinion):
Jesus (God) washed His disciples’ (human) feet; INCLUDING the man that would sell Him into death — John 13:1-5
Jesus (God) welcomed sinners (human) at His dinner table — Luke 15:1-2
Jesus (God) allowed His accusers (human) to beat Him and mock Him without ever fighting back — Matthew 16:67-68
Jesus (God) came to serve man (human), not to be served — Matthew 20:28; Philippians 2:6-7
Jesus (God) bowed down and submitted to the Father’s (God’s) will, instead of His human will — Mark 14:32-42
In all these examples we see that God humbled Himself for us, humans. He lowered Himself from His rightful place of royalty and became less than us, in order to serve us. He even made Himself submit to Himself in the garden, for the sake of saving our souls. So, for our sakes, let’s get on our knees and humble ourselves before God. Then He can do much more through us than ever before.
Prayer: Father in Heaven, You know our hearts better than us. If there is ever anything evil that creeps up in them that we’re unaware of, please show it to us. Open our eyes and ears to Your rebuke and soften our hearts to receive it with humble appreciation. We know Your goal is to make us more like Your Son and we want that as well. Thank You for continually working in us. In the name of Your Holy Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Action: Spend some time with God in prayer, on your knees. Jesus knelt in the Garden of Gethsemane. He is our greatest example, so let’s follow Him. It’s an expression of humility and respect before the Lord. God moves mountains, but humility moves God.
image: freepik.com
Beautiful reminder! Thank you.