“for I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29 NAS95)
Jesus’ statement challenges me. “For I am gentle and humble of heart” entered my conversation with God and has transformed my understanding of God profoundly. The fact that Jesus lived this, not just said it, makes it even more soul shaping.
Early in my walk with God, “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14 NAS95) echoed in my memory. I thought I needed to be humble, so I managed to do that in both true and false ways. God had me in process, and I wanted to earn brownie points with humility.
Later I started considering Jesus and the cross, and my conversation deepened with God. Especially when I considered the crucifixion. Jesus, the Creator, surrendered to His creation’s judging, lying, beating, mocking, and nailing Him to a cross. He did nothing. And He could have. He did it for us, for my benefit, for your benefit, but without thought of self-gain or ego. He humbly surrendered. I stood amazed. Humility. Whoa!
Jesus showed me the humility of God. I had never thought of God as humble. Then other Old Testament verses came to mind like Is. 57:15. God has no competitors, and He knows it. God loves, and loves like no one else, and He knows it. Jesus, secure in His Father’s love could express humility at the level equal to God and reveal it. At that point in my conversation with God, I recognized if I received the depth of God’s love, the security I have in His love, I could graciously move into humility. My trouble with humility found its roots in not trusting the security I have God’s love.
After that, I noticed all my struggles with humility had an undercurrent in my wanting significance, proving I was worth something, wanting to be liked, or being known for something. Making my mark among men. All of this flowed from insecurity around trusting God loves me. Looking for glory from someone other than God kept me from humility, separated me from the experience of His love.
Imitating Jesus meant that I need to trust God’s love and rest in it. Humility would work its way into my soul by simply seeing God’s humility and His desire to be with me, love me, and shape me for love. What a conversation!
For Reflection:
“O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear.” (Psalm 10:17 NAS95)
- How do you notice the need for humility in your own life? How is God speaking to you about that?
- Where are you in your experience of God’s love? What spiritual disciplines may help you deepen that experience?
