“Humility is a strange thing.  The minute you think you’ve got it, you’ve lost it.” – Ed Hulse

Lately I’ve been writing about the importance of the spiritual choices we make: to allow love to define us, to be more present in the moment, to remain hopeful in all circumstances, and to spend time each day moving closer to God through the practice of stillness.

When you think about it, every one of these choices require a kind of self-effacement to some degree – a meekness or humbleness that brings each of them to life.  It is only when we can humbly let go of our past history or future agendas that we can truly live moment to moment.  In order to be filled with hope and assurance, we must learn to lean less on ourselves and see God as the Source of all that looks impossible or improbable in our life. 

The act of stillness is a tremendous example of tempering our ego.  It is in essence saying, “This isn’t my life and my agenda – it’s yours God.”  It’s asking for God’s direction, guidance, and wisdom – not leaning on your own.  And of course, it goes without saying, to love someone requires an attitude of “Less of me….and more of you!” 🙂

So maybe each of these beautiful choices we have already discussed require a prerequisite choice – a choice that needs to be made first in order to put the rest of them into action, and that choice is humility.

To me, a true gauge of the power behind a spiritual virtue is to measure it up against what we see happening in the world around us – what the world values most.  Without a doubt, people are more consumed with their own opinions, their own desires, and their own happiness.  Having humility in this world is seen as a weakness, not a strength. 

But think about how choosing humility opens up so many possibilities for you!  How it changes SO MANY things in positive, dramatic ways – enriching life and deepening its meaning.

Think about how it changes friendships and intimate relationships – “More of you and less of me”.  Think if both partners chose to embrace a spirit of humility within their relationship.  You would never experience a greater love in this world!

Think about how humility changes your ability to grow and expand your knowledge.  Acting as if you already have all the answers, thinking your opinion is always right and never flawed leads to mental stagnation and a closed off mind.  When you come to realize that you don’t always have the right answers and you open up your mind to new ideas and new ways of thinking – you grow as an individual.

C.S. Lewis once said, “Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself – it is thinking of yourself less.”  Humility isn’t self-degradation – it’s coming to the truth of who you really are.

“Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility.” – Proverbs 18:12

“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.” – Proverbs 22:4

Think about how you are choosing humility in your own life right now.

Are you more concerned about getting your own way or relinquishing your way to the benefit of others?  Are you worried about how you are putting your spouse and children first or more concerned with their treatment of you?  Are you more determined to have your own wants and desires met or more interested in how God is working in and through your life right now to accomplish His plans for you?

How could embracing humility affect how you love, your growth as an individual, or your role at work?  How would it nurture friendships or help the world become a better place to live?  How would it make your family stronger?

Tonight, I hope you put yourself last – doing so with conscious determination and positive expectancy as an outcome.  Humbly and faithfully trust the promises of God, knowing that humility brings honor, riches and life to you and those you love.

God bless!