Humility itself isn’t always easy to foster. Moments of pride, arrogance, and selfishness move us farther from integrity of heart and valuing those around us. The grace of humility invites us to look in our spiritual mirror with honesty and take in what we see – our strengths, our talents, our faults, our weaknesses, our desires, our limits, our hopes, our sufferings, our joys, and our willingness to offer all of these in the service of God. It asks what motivates us? Do we use the talents we have, the opinions we voice, and the opportunities we’re given for His glory or for our own? Do the successes we’re blessed to experience work for the goodness of God and help care for those around us? As members of the Body of Christ, we are called to accompany each other in faith and lift one another – sometimes by sharing and highlighting our unique gifts and other times by quietly but enthusiastically supporting the talents of another. ‘…serve one another humbly with love.’ (Gal 5:13)
The grace of humility is a beautiful, loving blend of strength and weakness at the same time as we recognize the gifts we’ve been given to share, acknowledge where they come from, and humbly receive the gifts offered by others. We do not always have to be the leader, the loudest voice, or the attention-getter. With the grace of humility, we appreciate and experience joy in another’s achievement and welcome the wisdom of journeying together in faith, hope, and love. ‘Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.’ (Col 3:12)
As servants in faith to one another, we are led by the truth of God’s promise, an attitude of selflessness, and the joy of turning to God in complete trust. The grace of humility offers us the freedom to depend fully on Him, so we put away our own interests and are open to experiencing together what this gift of spirit has to show us. We are not whole or complete on our own. We are not meant to walk in faith, act in faith, or live in faith alone. With the grace of humility, together we will grow in strength, wisdom, and hope – encouraged to serve the Lord and each other with renewed joy.
Next week, the grace of hope.
Leave a Reply