Focus: Humility in Jesus

Happy New Year! During this Christmas season the Lord has led me to many articles and passages from His Word which have been focused on humility. In today's world the focus is not usually on our being humble but on getting our wants met and thinking more of ourselves than others. And yet, as a follower of Jesus Christ, my desire should be to be more like Him--a humble servant.

According to Philippians 2:5-8

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus; who being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance of a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!"

Also, we are instructed in Philippians 2:3-4 to

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of us should look not only to our own interests but to the interests of others."

On a personal note; as I look back over much of my life, that has definitely not been my focus. I wanted my way more than I wanted God's way and put my interests before others. Therefore, I took many wonderful people for granted and didn't really appreciate all the blessings I already had--focusing more on what I didn't have. As the Lord has reminded me during this Christmas season of how much He has changed my heart as I have surrendered my agenda and all that I am and have to Him, I want to challenge you to do the same and to truly rest in His all-encompassing love for you. Our world would be a better place if we would all bow in humble submission to our loving and faithful Heavenly Father.

Becoming humble isn't easy. Dr. Juli Slattery in her book "Beyond the Masquerade" tells us how we can become a humble person:

"Humility isn't something we can attain, but it is something we can both choose and seek. Making the choice to humble yourself is never easy. Humility will feel painful and unnatural because it's inevitably linked with the death of yourself. When Jesus called His disciples to die to self, He wasn't joking. Even in small ways, choosing the path of humility will be marked by feelings of dread or desperation. It may mean not demanding your way even though it's your right to do so. It means choosing to see others with the same value that you give yourself, remembering that but for the grace of God you would be the vilest of sinners. Sometimes choosing humility is as simple and difficult as saying "I'm sorry" or refusing to becomes defensive in an argument. Although we can't make ourselves humble, we can desire humility and ask the Lord to cut away at our prideful hearts."

What a challenge!! The key is that we desire humility and that we understand that we can't "make ourselves" humble. I was encouraged as I read these words from the book, "Radical" by David Platt. "God delights in using ordinary Christians who come to the end of themselves and choose to trust in His extraordinary provision. He stands ready to allocate His Power to all who are radically devoted to making much of Him." How encouraging is that?! As we seek humility, we receive His power (the same power that raised Jesus from the dead) to live for Him. I agree with Andrew Murray who said: "It is indeed the deepest happiness to be so free from self that whatever is said of us or done to us is swallowed up in the thought that Jesus is all and we are nothing." Then, to further encourage you to give all of yourself to Jesus are these words from the book "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young written as if Jesus were talking directly to you. "I am leading you along a path that is uniquely right for you. The closer to Me you grow, the more fully you become your true self--the one I designed you to be. The more completely you devote yourself to Me, the more freely you can love other people. Marvel at the beauty of a life intertwined with My Presence. Rejoice as we journey together in intimate communion. Enjoy the adventure of finding yourself through losing yourself to Me."

That is my prayer for each of us--that we would lose ourselves (surrender all that we are and all that we have) to Jesus and experience an intimate relationship with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. NOTHING is better than that!!! Also, in our very uncertain economy, I want to remind you not to fear the future because our all-powerful, all-knowing Savior holds the future in His hands. He promises in Joshua 1:5 "No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you." Rest in His arms of love today and all year long!!

Enjoy the following fun song by Steven Curtis Chapman and remember to glorify God with everything you do.