Falling Asleep in the Garden - HUMILITY

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves,

you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy,

kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

- Colossians 3:12 (NLT)

Last Wednesday we talked about drawing closer to God. I hope you’ve been able to spend a little extra time in His Presence this week.

Our Journey to the Cross will soon take us away from the Garden, but before we leave, there are two words I think we should explore – humility and passion. I chose these two specific characteristics, because in both cases, our godliness can often be measured by the line between the characteristic and it’s opposite or extreme. Let’s take a look at the definition of the word HUMILITY, meaning the quality of being modest or respectful . The opposite is ARROGANCE, contemptuous, feeling or showing self-importance or disregard for others. So, what is the “fine line” between these two extremes?

We start out with CONFIDENCE, a self-assurance or belief in our own abilities. But, then PRIDE comes along.

Pride can be a proper sense of own value, the correct level of respect for the importance and value of your personal character, life, efforts, or achievements.

Pride can be satisfaction with self, the happy satisfied feeling somebody experiences when having or achieving something special that other people admire.

Or, Pride can become a feeling of superiority, a haughty attitude shown by somebody who believes, often unjustifiably, that he or she is better than others

Pride opens the door and offers a temptation to change our God-given talents, gifts and passions into something sinful. However, humility allows God to help us keep our thoughts, motives and desires focused on being Christ-like.

Philippians 2:8 tells us, “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”

I think Lent is the perfect time to remember ... when we fall short in our own efforts, when our human, sinful ways get the best of us ... Jesus’ death is our only hope.

PREPARING OUR HEARTS: This week, ponder the thought that every trait, ability, quality, talent and desire we have, are gifts from God, and could be taken from us at any moment. With the help of the Holy Spirit, make a conscious effort to ask God to reveal the intentions of your heart and grant you the ability to see yourself as He sees you.

Be sure to check back next Wednesday as we explore our answer to the question, “Are we passionate or passive?”

Counting down to Calvary ...
God’s Peace, Donna Weaver