Got Humility?

After the soldiers had nailed Jesus to the cross, they divided up his clothes into four parts, one for each of them. But his outer garment was made from a single piece of cloth, and it did not have any seams. The soldiers said to each other, “Let’s not rip it apart. We will gamble to see who gets it.” This happened so that the Scriptures would come true, which say,

“They divided up my clothes and gambled for my garments.”
The soldiers then did what they had decided.

Jesus’ mother stood beside his cross …            John 19:23-25 (CEV)

Dateline: January 10, 2013. Child: Jody. Lesson #3: Humility. Session #172, 956.

I am so thankful this morning that my Father doesn’t give up on me. I am grateful that Jesus is a patient teacher and His Spirit has so many ways to get the principle across to me. Because it’s an important one.

#1: Love the LORD your God with your whole heart, soul, and mind.
#2: Love your neighbor as yourself.

It will be impossible to live the first two principles if I haven’t humbled myself under God’s hand (1 Peter 5:6). And God desires so much for me to be near to Him but that can’t happen if I am so immersed in my own ways and my own self. And so He teaches me. Often those lessons are not fun!

I have recently had some health “issues.” My husband Henry and I have had to learn new ways to get simple household tasks done. All my adult life, I have done the laundry and cooking and cleaning my way – a very good way, of course!. Now I have to turn lose of that control, allow that there is more than one way to do a task, and learn the patience and humility that comes with all the above. No, it isn’t always fun but God’s lessons are always good.

And just a note about marriage: When you are standing in the sunlight with your hand in the one that you love, making those Forever Vows, I suspect none of us see ourselves helping each other doing household and personal hygiene tasks! It starts with finding out about morning breath and moves on to other less fragrant revelations! But that is all part of the covenant that produces love and cherishing when the beautiful white gown and tux fade to t-shirts and sweat pants.

Pride leads to disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.    Proverbs 11:2 (NLT)

Fear-of-God is a school in skilled living—
first you learn humility, then you experience glory.    Proverbs 15:33 (The Message)

Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud,
but humility comes before honor.    Proverbs 18:12 (HCSB)

Jesus, God Himself, hung naked on a cross with soldiers, church leaders, and criminals ‘dissing’ Him – even as His mother stood nearby. There was nothing left but stark humility. Jesus showed me the way to learn my lessons with an open and willing heart. He showed me true humility and the true glory that comes with the lesson learned and lived.

Have I got humility? Maybe not completely, but my LORD is faithful – so I will learn. Thank You, Jesus.

Go Rest High On That Mountain written and sung by Vince Gill (1995)