Humble

I hear people talking a lot about humility and being humble.  People talk about the importance of it and how we all should strive to be humble, but, how to go about being authentically humble – that is not a topic I’ve heard spoken on in those moments where people are stressing the importance of it.

I’m not an expert, but, the whole idea of somehow trying to be humble really smacks disingenuous to me.  I say this sincerely as someone who has been diligently seeking.  And, OH – I was an avid Do-er!  I knew well how to DO, but, not really how to BE.  I was very good at hiding behind “pleaser” wrapping paper. 

Pride is the opposite of humility.  And pride is typically wrapped up in fear.  One place I can shed fear and pride in real ways is in Celebrate Recovery.  It’s a Christ centered 12 step safe place where I’m accepted and can fellowship with others on the same journey I am – growing together in Christ.  I have a long way to go, but, the freedom I’ve received through being real about my failings and flaws, coming face to face with the ugly places in me have brought real authentic moments that have been so wonderful.  And the rest and peace I’ve received from knowing God loves me and was never disillusioned in me from the start – that helps me to live from that real place more and more outside of CR!  That is transformational.  While very painful at times, this process with others and Jesus has been so good and encouraging.  Redemptive pain, I want to go toward it more than ever before, not run from it.  Embracing what I fear is humiliating but is really about just being real brings humility in real ways.

I don’t know how to manufacture humility on my own.  I really don’t think the true article is possible in and of me.  But, along with shedding pride and fear in CR there is another place where something close to what I believe must be part of humility just naturally occurs.  It’s when I spend time with my heavenly Papa, focusing on Him for Him.  Talking to Him, worshipping, listening, reading over His word – these are times I lose all thought about me.  When I’m exposed to Jesus’ magnificence – His greatness – WOW – my mind is never on me in those moments.  Funny how that works!  I seem to think this must be the most authentic form of humility, being mindful more and more of God’s great goodness, presence and the truth of who He really is.   Awe of God’s greatness, it helps me live in a real way, knowing He is worthy and so big and that I don’t have to try to do anything in order to find meaning or worth.  I love Him so dearly and am learning to more and more love Him by receiving His great love for me in my heart.

Humility – doesn’t seem like it should be anything about trying harder to look humble or putting myself down overtly to others.  Just seems a natural outflow of getting real about me and God.