True Humility

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ Luke 14:11

Humble? You probably don’t hear that word every day at work, vacation, on Netflix, or spending time with friends. Aren’t we supposed to look out for number one, develop a healthy self-esteem, and live by the motto “It’s my way or the highway”? In our me-focused culture, humility is a word that doesn’t get nearly enough exercise.

But this is what God wants from us. Jesus’ life and ministry were filled with humility, as he reached out to society’s outcasts, washed the feet of his disciples, and ultimately went to the cross to pay the price for our sins - the greatest act of humility possible.

So how do we humble ourselves? We begin the journey by getting rid of humility’s greatest enemy: pride. Pride is an unhealthy focus on us - and a lack of proper focus on God. Pride is sneaky and deceitful. It feeds that focused attitude, at the expense of everyone around us. It’s a destroyer, and before you know it, it’ll trap you in a life of bondage.

I invite you to talk with God. Find a position of humility: kneeling, sitting quietly in a corner, or lying face down on the carpet. Confess your pride. Talk with God about your human tendency to think too highly of yourself, and ask for forgiveness and the ability to see yourself as God does.