A blank journal page and a second cup of coffee, words spilled across my Bible and really just one standing out:
Humility.
This word pops up regularly in my mental vocabulary. When 2010 rolled in to being, a lot of bloggers were choosing their “word for the year”–a focal point. Humility came to mind, persistently, but I pushed it aside. I chose something else. Yet as time marches on, humility chooses me.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
In this quiet time, I wonder how my life would be transformed, relationships healed, gaps bridged if I were to choose humility. What does this look like? My study notes offer a glimpse: The source of Christian unity. This is the mind-set of the person who is not conceited but who has a right attitude toward himself. (Regarding others better than yourself) Not that everyone else is superior or more talented, but that Christian love sees others as worthy of preferential treatment.
Humility attacks my ego; it kicks my soapbox out from under me; and if I let it, it helps me to see others the way God sees them: lovable. I read on. I read about Jesus and his attitude, how he didn’t consider equality with God something to be grasped, that he made himself nothing–a servant–and humbled himself to the Father’s will for him. Wherever anyone is on his journey with Christ, or even to Christ, Jesus saw that person worth dying for.
Whereas tolerance and civility are a polite, if not cold, embrace–humility leads me to love. To love God (and to obey him!). And to love others as myself.
Jesus–when I think of you on the cross, so many words come to mind: obedience, sacrifice, salvation, love and humility. The more I learn about you, the more I am changed. Thank you for loving me, despite my flaws and mistakes. Thank you for seeing something in me that was worth dying for–and for showing me how to love. Help me, Lord, to choose humility.
Courtney (66books365)
From the archives. Originally published October 8, 2010
Sixty-six books in a year 