…contemplate with an ardent faith the immense power and infinite wisdom of the Supreme Being…Balancing what we fear from ourselves with what we hope from God, we shall courageously undergo the greatest difficulties and severest trials. Joining these weapons to prayer, as we shall see later, we shall be able to execute the greatest plans and gain decisive victories. (SC 9-10, Chapter 3)
God’s gift of humility…an open door for God…
As a concept, we have no problem in embracing humility. In practice? Well, that is quite another matter.
Humility? My first tendency is to compare myself with others. And who do I choose for my comparison? I conjure up painful experiences with arrogant, abusive, dismissive blowhards and count myself better than they. Humble?
Challenges? I think of God, of His love, His truth, His power. How many disputes have I set for myself to solve, gathering all my resources and planning my strategies and arguments? When I find time, I will talk with God…if there is time. Humble?
Prayer? I make a plan to read the Gospels…later…when I can find the time. I receive God’s love in brief reflective moments. Then I get busy. I tackle the daily task at hand, following my own plans, using my own intellect and exerting my own power to make it all come together. Humble?
Then…what frustration grips my spirit when the task at hand falls apart! I redouble my efforts. I Google for new information. I accuse people who thwarted my plan. Humble?
Where is God in my life? I put Him high on a shelf and tell Him I will get back to Him later…when I have time. On an intellectual level, I know God is Supreme. But in my life, He has become an afterthought.
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established. [Prov 19:21]
I want to hold onto two things that are irreconcilable. I want to control my life. And I want God to help me control my life. I cannot both hold the reins of my life and let God hold the same reins.
Without humility, I will hold onto the reins for dear life. The door meant for God to enter is closed. Humility is the measure of where I place my trust. Do I trust God enough to let go?
Let go? Only if I am humble enough to let God be God. Supreme. All-powerful. All-loving.
Question: Today, Lord, what plans have I laid that have not yet been submitted to You?
PRAYER:
God, with true distrust in myself and complete trust in You, help me in true humility to release my ego and grab onto Your hand.
SCRIPTURE:
“O Lord, God of our fathers, art thou not God in heaven? Dost thou not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? In thy hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee.” [Jehoshaphat’s Prayer, Phil 3:7-9]
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