Lately, I have been seeking direction for my future. And these lyrics keep coming to mind as something I need to remember. In the words of a trusted pastor, family friend & mentor, "God always leaves room for faith." From my song, "If You Died Tomorrow":
God doesn't give us the whole picture,
Just the next step of the way.
He doesn't give us the whole sentence,
Just the next word we're to say.
God doesn't call us to move mountains,
Just to have the faith to pray.
God doesn't call us to change people,
He calls us to obey.
I have been realizing that I often seek God with a purpose, wanting to get answers from Him. But I don't often just spend time worshiping Him. I need to get to know You better, God. I am sorry that I often come to You with an agenda. Please teach me to worship You in spirit and in truth. Please teach me to listen.
Showing posts with label Contemplation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Contemplation. Show all posts
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
What Questions do You Ask?
Have you ever spent time thinking about how important questions are? Would you agree that the questions you ask people affect what you learn about them, and ultimately what your relationships with them look like? Do you want to be better at asking questions that deepen relationships, build people up, and help them think about what really matters in life? Do you want to gain wisdom from those wiser than you by asking questions about things you are actually struggling with? Do you want to be a better listener? I do.
So I decided to do a little brainstorming. I asked myself the question: "Amy, how often do you think about the questions you ask?" And my answer was, "Not much." Maybe you're the same way.
Sometimes I get frustrated that I tend to default to the culturally acceptable, small talk, conversation opener questions. How are you doing? People ask it when they don't have time to listen to an honest answer. Or they ask it in the middle of a deep conversation, where it can be a good question. What did you do today? Finds out some practical information that can lead to more questions, but keeps the conversation on "doing" and perhaps helps feed our culture's fast-paced, overworked, success-measured-by-material-accomplishments society. Do you think we could learn to be more creative?
There's an "appropriateness" measure that people use with questions, too. If you walk up to a stranger and ask a deep personal question, sometimes it could be offensive. Or sometimes it could open the door to a true, meaningful conversation. It's probably more awkward with acquaintances. Because with total strangers you don't have much to loose. With acquaintances you take the risk that they will think you're too personal, or inappropriately deep. But you take the risk that you could change a frivial "Hi, how are you? Glad to hear it." type of relationship into an actual friendship where you get to know what the other person is actually like, and learn how you can speak encouragement into their life. Are you willing to take that risk to gain the benefits?
So, the best thing I can think of to help myself be more creative with asking questions is to make myself think of some questions. These will be totally random. Here goes:
1. What did you learn today?
2. What have you been asking yourself lately?
3. Do you have a favorite time of day to work on creative projects?
4. What is your favorite day of the week? Why?
5. What is one thing that happened today that you are thankful for?
6. What has God promised you?
7. What do you like to do for fun?
8. Have you read any good books lately?
9. What is something you would know about that you don't think I know much about that you could teach me about right now?
10. How did you choose the career path you are on?
11. Would you consider working for a missions organization or a church if you felt God leading you in that direction? What obstacles might you need to overcome to do this?
12. What do you find frustrating in life right now?
13. What do you wish would change, in your life, or in the world in general?
14. What do you wish would never change?
15. Why do you want it to change/not change?
16. Do you have any fears that you want to get rid of in your life?
17. Do you think God will clear away obstacles in your life?
18. Which person in the Bible can you relate to the most right now?
19. What do you know you need to work on, but you've been avoiding it?
20. Where were you born?
21. What languages do you know?
22. What do you think I need to learn?
23. What do you feel passionately about?
24. How do you know that what you believe is true?
25. What do you spend the most time on each week?
26. Has there ever been a time in your life where you knew God was working without a doubt?
27. Is there anything you've been thinking about lately?
28. Was there anything you've been wanting to ask me, but haven't gotten up the courage?
29. What questions do you like to ask people to start conversations?
30. Are you getting annoyed by all my questions? =D
There are so many more. Are there any questions that you could ask me so that I could use them to become a better listener? Did you find this post interesting or helpful at all?
So I decided to do a little brainstorming. I asked myself the question: "Amy, how often do you think about the questions you ask?" And my answer was, "Not much." Maybe you're the same way.
Sometimes I get frustrated that I tend to default to the culturally acceptable, small talk, conversation opener questions. How are you doing? People ask it when they don't have time to listen to an honest answer. Or they ask it in the middle of a deep conversation, where it can be a good question. What did you do today? Finds out some practical information that can lead to more questions, but keeps the conversation on "doing" and perhaps helps feed our culture's fast-paced, overworked, success-measured-by-material-accomplishments society. Do you think we could learn to be more creative?
There's an "appropriateness" measure that people use with questions, too. If you walk up to a stranger and ask a deep personal question, sometimes it could be offensive. Or sometimes it could open the door to a true, meaningful conversation. It's probably more awkward with acquaintances. Because with total strangers you don't have much to loose. With acquaintances you take the risk that they will think you're too personal, or inappropriately deep. But you take the risk that you could change a frivial "Hi, how are you? Glad to hear it." type of relationship into an actual friendship where you get to know what the other person is actually like, and learn how you can speak encouragement into their life. Are you willing to take that risk to gain the benefits?
So, the best thing I can think of to help myself be more creative with asking questions is to make myself think of some questions. These will be totally random. Here goes:
1. What did you learn today?
2. What have you been asking yourself lately?
3. Do you have a favorite time of day to work on creative projects?
4. What is your favorite day of the week? Why?
5. What is one thing that happened today that you are thankful for?
6. What has God promised you?
7. What do you like to do for fun?
8. Have you read any good books lately?
9. What is something you would know about that you don't think I know much about that you could teach me about right now?
10. How did you choose the career path you are on?
11. Would you consider working for a missions organization or a church if you felt God leading you in that direction? What obstacles might you need to overcome to do this?
12. What do you find frustrating in life right now?
13. What do you wish would change, in your life, or in the world in general?
14. What do you wish would never change?
15. Why do you want it to change/not change?
16. Do you have any fears that you want to get rid of in your life?
17. Do you think God will clear away obstacles in your life?
18. Which person in the Bible can you relate to the most right now?
19. What do you know you need to work on, but you've been avoiding it?
20. Where were you born?
21. What languages do you know?
22. What do you think I need to learn?
23. What do you feel passionately about?
24. How do you know that what you believe is true?
25. What do you spend the most time on each week?
26. Has there ever been a time in your life where you knew God was working without a doubt?
27. Is there anything you've been thinking about lately?
28. Was there anything you've been wanting to ask me, but haven't gotten up the courage?
29. What questions do you like to ask people to start conversations?
30. Are you getting annoyed by all my questions? =D
There are so many more. Are there any questions that you could ask me so that I could use them to become a better listener? Did you find this post interesting or helpful at all?
Friday, July 29, 2011
In the World? But not of it. So...
So. A question I've been mulling around: What does it mean to stay away from the things of the world? It is quite clear to me that "worldly things", whatever that means, are dangerous. "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:15-17
Okay, so what does that look like? Some people focus on being "different from the world" in areas such as how they dress, or what music they listen to. Society dresses so immodestly these days, so it is important as followers of Christ to respect our brothers and sisters and reduce any potential for lust. So they come up with guidelines for modesty such as long skirts for girls, always wear sleeves, no more than 4 fingers of skin under the chin. They might think "People who dress in jeans that are a bit too tight, or listen to the radio, even the ones who call themselves Christians, they just don't understand the full truth yet. They're still too much like the world." Never listen to music that has a beat that makes you want to move around too much, because it might be seductive in some way, so you better stick with traditional hymns and nothing with too much of a beat. In fact, dancing is just altogether too dangerous, so lets not dance at all, just to be on the safe side. Acting these ways is not wrong. In fact, it's good to think about how we dress and what we listen to. But I don't think how one dresses or what one listens to actually makes a person different from the world.
Other Christians I know have different lines. They dress the same way as your average mainstream westerner, and listen to pop songs on the radio. They hang out with friends at the bar, and dance for fun with their friends. They play the typical dating game. But they do disagree with sex before marriage, and with getting drunk. In these things, they are different than the world. Really?
Think about this: In other parts of the world, and amongst sub-cultures here in Calgary people of different backgrounds and religions dress very modestly. They even cover their heads (Muslim women, or Sikh men). Maybe even wear black most of the time, avoiding bright colours so as not to draw too much attention to themselves. One time I talked with some girls at my school who were standing at a booth talking to people about the Muslim faith. I asked them about music, and they basically said that music of any kind is discouraged (although they do chant the Qur'an), because it takes away from the worship of Allah. Think back to the history of Christianity. There was a time when only monks (and only men) could sing in church, and any instrument was considered worldly. Then they progressed to the organ, considering all other instruments too worldly. There are non-Christians who do not support sex before marriage. And many people choose to remain sober.
So what am I getting at? You can never be different from all the false beliefs of the world by how you dress, what you listen to, whether or not you drink, or when you have sex. Why? Because some of the world is overly liberal, and some of the world is overly strict. The world has the spectrum covered. Before Christians even try to figure out where they sit on the spectrum, every shade is already there.
Now what?! You might be asking yourself. Well, I don't know the answers. But I am convinced that being different from the world is not about rules and guidelines. It is about something far more profound.
Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. And the Pharisees said to Him, "Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" But He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the hight priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?" And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath." Mark 2:23-28
Catch that? Okay, so Jesus is apparently "disobeying" the law. But he doesn't do that. He is without sin. He was demonstrating that the law was there for man, but that He is Lord over it. And even in the Old Testament, there were times when the law wasn't followed, like with the Kind David example. But it's not that Jesus disapproved of the law.
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill." Matthew 5:17
What does Jesus think about this whole "worldly" thing? Well, He did mention it in his prayer for his disciples before He was crucified.
"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." John 17:14-17
So it's about something spiritual. Being in the world, but not of it. Protection from the evil one. Sanctification by God's truth.
Get this:
Religious leaders catch this women in the act of adultery. According to God's law, God's holy law, she deserves to be stoned to death. This was not man's idea. This was a command by God. So the Pharisees bring her to Jesus.
they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. John 8:4-6
Now I bet that's exactly what you expected Jesus to do. Probably not. What's going on here? Jesus isn't stuck on legalistic thinking. He knows just what to do, because He loves everyone involved here.
So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman staning in the midst.
When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." John 8:7-11
Wow. I don' t know exactly how this fits in with learning what it means to be different from the world, but what I do see is Jesus' incredible grace. His incredible forgiveness. His Love that changes peoples' lives.
So the next time you're tempted to judge someone for being too worldly, or you are trying not to be too worldly yourself, maybe ask the question: What does it mean to be in the world but not of it?
Okay, so what does that look like? Some people focus on being "different from the world" in areas such as how they dress, or what music they listen to. Society dresses so immodestly these days, so it is important as followers of Christ to respect our brothers and sisters and reduce any potential for lust. So they come up with guidelines for modesty such as long skirts for girls, always wear sleeves, no more than 4 fingers of skin under the chin. They might think "People who dress in jeans that are a bit too tight, or listen to the radio, even the ones who call themselves Christians, they just don't understand the full truth yet. They're still too much like the world." Never listen to music that has a beat that makes you want to move around too much, because it might be seductive in some way, so you better stick with traditional hymns and nothing with too much of a beat. In fact, dancing is just altogether too dangerous, so lets not dance at all, just to be on the safe side. Acting these ways is not wrong. In fact, it's good to think about how we dress and what we listen to. But I don't think how one dresses or what one listens to actually makes a person different from the world.
Other Christians I know have different lines. They dress the same way as your average mainstream westerner, and listen to pop songs on the radio. They hang out with friends at the bar, and dance for fun with their friends. They play the typical dating game. But they do disagree with sex before marriage, and with getting drunk. In these things, they are different than the world. Really?
Think about this: In other parts of the world, and amongst sub-cultures here in Calgary people of different backgrounds and religions dress very modestly. They even cover their heads (Muslim women, or Sikh men). Maybe even wear black most of the time, avoiding bright colours so as not to draw too much attention to themselves. One time I talked with some girls at my school who were standing at a booth talking to people about the Muslim faith. I asked them about music, and they basically said that music of any kind is discouraged (although they do chant the Qur'an), because it takes away from the worship of Allah. Think back to the history of Christianity. There was a time when only monks (and only men) could sing in church, and any instrument was considered worldly. Then they progressed to the organ, considering all other instruments too worldly. There are non-Christians who do not support sex before marriage. And many people choose to remain sober.
So what am I getting at? You can never be different from all the false beliefs of the world by how you dress, what you listen to, whether or not you drink, or when you have sex. Why? Because some of the world is overly liberal, and some of the world is overly strict. The world has the spectrum covered. Before Christians even try to figure out where they sit on the spectrum, every shade is already there.
Now what?! You might be asking yourself. Well, I don't know the answers. But I am convinced that being different from the world is not about rules and guidelines. It is about something far more profound.
Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. And the Pharisees said to Him, "Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" But He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the hight priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?" And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath." Mark 2:23-28
Catch that? Okay, so Jesus is apparently "disobeying" the law. But he doesn't do that. He is without sin. He was demonstrating that the law was there for man, but that He is Lord over it. And even in the Old Testament, there were times when the law wasn't followed, like with the Kind David example. But it's not that Jesus disapproved of the law.
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill." Matthew 5:17
What does Jesus think about this whole "worldly" thing? Well, He did mention it in his prayer for his disciples before He was crucified.
"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." John 17:14-17
So it's about something spiritual. Being in the world, but not of it. Protection from the evil one. Sanctification by God's truth.
Get this:
Religious leaders catch this women in the act of adultery. According to God's law, God's holy law, she deserves to be stoned to death. This was not man's idea. This was a command by God. So the Pharisees bring her to Jesus.
they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. John 8:4-6
Now I bet that's exactly what you expected Jesus to do. Probably not. What's going on here? Jesus isn't stuck on legalistic thinking. He knows just what to do, because He loves everyone involved here.
So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman staning in the midst.
When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." John 8:7-11
Wow. I don' t know exactly how this fits in with learning what it means to be different from the world, but what I do see is Jesus' incredible grace. His incredible forgiveness. His Love that changes peoples' lives.
So the next time you're tempted to judge someone for being too worldly, or you are trying not to be too worldly yourself, maybe ask the question: What does it mean to be in the world but not of it?
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Life Thoughts: Stress Struggle
Grrr. My face screws into a look of agony and stress and I grasp my head in my hands with much tension. What to do! What not to do! Today I didn't exercise, so I need to do that with my sister tomorrow. Then I skipped the shower today too, so I could get at other things. So that shouldn't be skipped tomorrow. But I also didn't spend much time at work today, so I need to get some hours in there, but when I have breakfast at 8:30, then if I exercise and have a devotion time and a shower, oh yeah, and then there's laundry, then I will hardly have time to work before lunch time, and then I have to leave in the afternoon to meet someone, and then I still haven't gotten around to organizing those files for that volunteer position for the registered music teachers organization, and then I failed at reaching my goals on my music project this week, when will I do that? and we're leaving for a camping trip this weekend, so maybe Mom would like some help with baking...
Hang on.
In the middle of my mental rant, I realized something. I was feeling stressed because I was wanting to do the impossible. I wanted to get lots of sleep, and accomplish a ton of things before work in the morning, and still have time for that work before lunch. So what's the truth here?
The truth is that I am blessed with a flexible schedule right now. The truth is that I am human, and I have to make choices about how I spend my time. I can't do everything at once, and thus I must admit my weaknesses and live with them. God works well through weaknesses. Never has He told me that I have to exercise, do devotions, laundry, admin work, shower, etc. before 9:30 when I get up at 8:30 and eat Breakfast with the family for 30 minutes first. But He has told me not to worry about tomorrow, and to serve whole-heartedly at whatever I am doing.
So, I will ask Him for wisdom, do my best to decide what should be done when, and not stress about the things that aren't getting done yet. In the big picture, what does it matter if I miss laundry for a few days? Do my best, let go of the rest. And if, in the overall picture of my life, I keep running into this kind of situation, perhaps I have committed to too many things, and I need to back out of some responsibilities so that I can do my best at the ones I have. I'm willing to do that. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to serve you, Jesus, with my life. Thank you for promising me wisdom! I'm excited to see what You'll do in my life tomorrow...
Hang on.
In the middle of my mental rant, I realized something. I was feeling stressed because I was wanting to do the impossible. I wanted to get lots of sleep, and accomplish a ton of things before work in the morning, and still have time for that work before lunch. So what's the truth here?
The truth is that I am blessed with a flexible schedule right now. The truth is that I am human, and I have to make choices about how I spend my time. I can't do everything at once, and thus I must admit my weaknesses and live with them. God works well through weaknesses. Never has He told me that I have to exercise, do devotions, laundry, admin work, shower, etc. before 9:30 when I get up at 8:30 and eat Breakfast with the family for 30 minutes first. But He has told me not to worry about tomorrow, and to serve whole-heartedly at whatever I am doing.
So, I will ask Him for wisdom, do my best to decide what should be done when, and not stress about the things that aren't getting done yet. In the big picture, what does it matter if I miss laundry for a few days? Do my best, let go of the rest. And if, in the overall picture of my life, I keep running into this kind of situation, perhaps I have committed to too many things, and I need to back out of some responsibilities so that I can do my best at the ones I have. I'm willing to do that. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to serve you, Jesus, with my life. Thank you for promising me wisdom! I'm excited to see what You'll do in my life tomorrow...
Monday, July 4, 2011
Uninspired Honesty
Right now, I am uninspired. So why am I writing, you may ask? The truth is, I don' t know. What I do know is that I'd like to become more regular at writing here. And I'd like to be very honest as I write here on this blog.
What if I could actually share what I am really struggling with, rejoicing in, learning? And what if, by being honest, someday, someone, somewhere will read it and face the truth in their own lives? If one person can be drawn a little closer to God by reading this, it's worth it.
So, what AM I struggling with, rejoicing in and learning these days? I am so happy for simple things right now, for beautiful weather, tasty food, being healthy and free and loved. And I am also thirsty. Thirsty for the deeper things in life, the Living water, thirsty for love. It would take hundreds of words to express it all. It seems like I am constantly searching.
Food for thought: What matters in life?
I know all the pat answers. God matters. People matter. Relationships matter. And all the little regularities of life that are necessary for survival matter too; work, sleep, eating, you know. But how do I REALLY live focused on God first? What does that look like? I am going to explore that over the next few weeks. And perhaps for the rest of my life. Because I am determined not to spend my life ignoring what matters most.
What if I could actually share what I am really struggling with, rejoicing in, learning? And what if, by being honest, someday, someone, somewhere will read it and face the truth in their own lives? If one person can be drawn a little closer to God by reading this, it's worth it.
So, what AM I struggling with, rejoicing in and learning these days? I am so happy for simple things right now, for beautiful weather, tasty food, being healthy and free and loved. And I am also thirsty. Thirsty for the deeper things in life, the Living water, thirsty for love. It would take hundreds of words to express it all. It seems like I am constantly searching.
Food for thought: What matters in life?
I know all the pat answers. God matters. People matter. Relationships matter. And all the little regularities of life that are necessary for survival matter too; work, sleep, eating, you know. But how do I REALLY live focused on God first? What does that look like? I am going to explore that over the next few weeks. And perhaps for the rest of my life. Because I am determined not to spend my life ignoring what matters most.
Friday, September 24, 2010
What Shall I Say?
I want to encourage you. I want to love you all the way Jesus does. I want to be there for you, to listen. But there are so many of you. So many people who need to be loved. I am weak. But He is strong. So Praise God for His body, for the collection of believers who He can use to reach others. I'm thankful I can trust all those people, all of you, to Him.
But I won't give up on people. By His strength, I will learn to love better and better. I will live to encourage and help others. But only by His strength.
Philippians 2:1-4
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Someone asked me this week, after hearing these verses, "What is humility?"
"The opposite of arrogance, I guess," I said. "Jesus was humble." It got me thinking.
Humility is not something we can put on ourselves. Although the Bible does say, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord."(James 4:10) But it seems to me that it's possible to want to be humble so that other people see how humble we are, and are proud of us. The root desire in this seeking of humility is actually pride!! That's not the kind of humility I want.
I want to be humble the Jesus way.
Philippians 2:8-11
8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Could I do that? Could I humble myself to the point of death? Definitely not on my own. That's why I'm sure I need a God-sized remedy.
Jesus, please humble me!! Make me more like You.
But I won't give up on people. By His strength, I will learn to love better and better. I will live to encourage and help others. But only by His strength.
Philippians 2:1-4
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Someone asked me this week, after hearing these verses, "What is humility?"
"The opposite of arrogance, I guess," I said. "Jesus was humble." It got me thinking.
Humility is not something we can put on ourselves. Although the Bible does say, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord."(James 4:10) But it seems to me that it's possible to want to be humble so that other people see how humble we are, and are proud of us. The root desire in this seeking of humility is actually pride!! That's not the kind of humility I want.
I want to be humble the Jesus way.
Philippians 2:8-11
8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Could I do that? Could I humble myself to the point of death? Definitely not on my own. That's why I'm sure I need a God-sized remedy.
Jesus, please humble me!! Make me more like You.
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