Friday, February 5, 2010

humble hearts

Matthew 5:5 "They are blessed who are humble, for the whole earth shall be theirs."

Philippians 2:3-4 "When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves. Do not be interested only in your life, but be interested in the lives of others."


Humility is a daily battle for us humans who love attention, the spot light, and being on top. As a Christian we must be ready to step back out of the way so the attention and the spot light are shining on Christ Jesus. All glory in our lives should go to God.


Humility is more than walking out of the bathroom with toilet paper on your shoe. Its walking out of the bathroom telling another they have toilet paper on their shoe. Its more than walking into church with a booger in your nose, but in telling a friend they need to check the mirror. Humility is not about us, its about stepping back and moving others before us. Humility is seeking God, and knowing He is so much bigger than we.


Humility can be hard. As I watch football at times with my husband and son, I really do not like when the quarterback stands and tells how all his plays won the game, well what about the other teammates who helped to win that game? And what about one winning the Superbowl and saying this is the best thing that has ever happened to them? How sad that life is being compared to a trophy. Being in Missouri, I was able to watch Kurt Warner, a Christian stand for Christ, lead others to Christ, and change lives with the way in which he lived his life. Although he was in the public eye, he made sure God gained glory from his life. Too many times we can sit back and wait for that pat on the back, or for that ribbon saying what a great deed we did. Its not about us, its all about God and allowing Him to move through our lives.


Humility is allowing another to stand before you in line, to move your full cart and allow another to move ahead of you. I have been there in a hurry, not wanting to wait, but just what could have happened if I had allowed another in front of me? By giving grace and pardon to others we are showing humility.
We are to take our eyes off ourselves and think about others. We are to give a willing hand and to reach out to others hurting. We often think about our time, and we do all we need to do before we are willing to help others. That is a bit backwards. We should always see others before ourselves. Did not Jesus see us first when He was on the cross? He was not looking at Himself, but in His humbleness He gave the greatest gift of all. Why would He expect anything less from us?


When we can say we are sorry from heart, not because we have to, that is being humble. To admit when we are wrong is a hard step at times, but when we do, we show others who Jesus is through our actions.


When we are always in the view, God is not seen, only our selfishness and greed. But as we move out of the way, it is then that His view is seen to all.


We are to serve with a humble heart, not just to be seen. We are to give in secret, not so others can see all we have given. When we do those things, the blessing is gone because of our pride. There can be no humility in pride. Humility washes all pride away.


The thing we should want more than anything is for God to be seen in our lives, through our daily actions and our words. We can struggle with this, for we want others to see how hard we work, how hard we try, and how much we are doing. But why are we doing the things we are doing? If it is for our gain, then it is lost, but if it is for God's kingdom, then blessings will be shared.


I think we can all struggle in this area of our lives. This is one place where we can realize with God's strength we can overcome anything. With the grace He gives us, we too can give others. We go to Him humble, and we too should be humble before others.


Humiliation can stare us right in the face, but that doesn't make for a humble heart. Being humble is not being embarrassed. In being humble we can look at ourselves clearly and see how sinful we are, and how much we are in need of a Savior and His grace. When we give up ourselves, we gain Him, and when we gain Him we willingly give up ourselves.


Lord, help me to be humble before You and Your creation. Help me to allow Your light to shine in my life and to remember just how big You really are.

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