Humble
I turned on the news the other day. Throughout the half hour, there was a constant theme I was hearing from anyone that the interviewer was speaking with – an outward sense of boasting. To me, boasting is a level above pride. It is one speaking of themselves and their accomplishments as if no one can do it better than them, faster than them, etc. As I listened to these people, I kept thinking to myself, “Do you actually think YOU achieved all of that on YOUR own? Do you believe it is all about YOU and not one single person assisted YOU on this journey?” A level of self-righteousness permeated these folks. Yes, I went to a different channel!
I have always loved this verse as I feel strongly that Jesus is telling us exactly who we need to be and why it is important to have a humble character. As I listen to people talk these days, I seem to hear more of this boasting and less humbleness. Yet, the verses proceeding this verse also shows people in Jesus’ time who spoke with the same level of boasting and self-righteousness. The Pharisees were boasters. Throughout the Bible, we see a group of people who believed they were better than anyone else, boasting about everything that they did right, and others did wrong. Life has not changed too much in the last 2,000 years.
As Jesus shares in this verse, it is those that share a sense of humility and humbleness who will be exalted in heaven! So how do we do that? How do we bring humility into our character? My friends, it all begins and ends with Jesus. We are sinful. The only one who lived on this earth who was not was Jesus. We wake up and end our days in a sinful state. Recognizing that, both outwardly and inwardly, makes us humble. We are not deserving of this life we have been given and the good that we have enjoyed. Our gifts all come from Jesus! When we not only realize this but live our lives understanding this, we move to humbleness. We understand there is someone who is far greater than us who provides all for us.
Asking each day for Jesus’ mercy of our sins helps us to come to this world with a humble mindset.
His glory, gifts, grace, and mercy are given to us because He loves each of us. To live and share this mindset with others helps all to see the importance of Jesus in our lives. Let us bring Jesus the glory of our achievements – for without him, we are nothing. May we continue to move towards a humble heart and have the simple faith that our Jesus’ blessings will always be with us.
Dearest Jesus, thank you for helping me see where I fall short of your expectations and how, only by your grace, am I able to achieve my life. May my heart and mouth share that I am nothing without You. Amen!