Manna Monday- Humility: It's a GOOD THING!

 

  

Humility is a GOOD thing! So many times we don't like eating a piece of humble pie in life but when we come to see what God is doing through it, we are always repentant and thankful God has drawn us to Himself through being humbled.

My Story: A Time of Humbling
I have always been able to sing pretty well so when I tried out for a college singing group that offered a  nice scholarship, I thought it was a sure thing. In my mind, I was prideful. But God had other plans. He was going to humble me and I no idea He was going to do that! I wasn't chosen to be a singer in the group, but was asked to be a second keyboardist in the band. At first, I was stunned. I thought, "Play in the band? I don't play in a band, I sing." But when I took a step back and looked at learning something new, I took the challenge. It's only now that I can look back on that specific instance where I can see God was humbling me to draw me to Himself, to teach me not to put any trust in my singing ability and to make me more usable through learning how to play the piano so people could sing along with me. But at the time, I sure didn't feel like there was a greater purpose from my being humbled!

God knew I didn't like having to play for people to sing along with me. I preferred playing the piano for people to listen. But He wanted to stretch me and make the talent He gave me more usable. But He knew I wouldn't do it on my own. So He humbled me to get my attention and to place me in a position where I had to learn how to do it. Today I am able to lead women to worship God through playing the piano and singing at the same time. What I learned in that band years ago prepared me to be able to lead women in worship today. Thank you God!

Humility is a GOOD thing. It's the state of mind we should have everyday. But living in this world, we can easily succumb to the world's view of pride and let some it spill over into our lives. Sometimes we do think we are better off than others. Sometimes we do think we are "something special." Sometimes we do think we are "gifted" in a certain area and no one else can do what we can do. Sometimes we do think we have it all together. But as believers, we aren't supposed to think like this at all. Romans 12: 3 tells us what our mindset should be: "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."

The Israelites Humbling
"Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands."     Deuteronomy 8:2

When Moses was speaking to the Israelites, he directed them to look back on their wilderness wanderings to remember how God was with them, and led them through the desolate desert. He led them to consider the reason for God's humbling- so He could know what was in their hearts. As believers, we are to remember and look back on the times God has led us through a time of humility. We are to acknowledge His provision and grace for us. And through it all we are to learn how to cheerfully serve him (not grumble because we aren't getting to do what WE WANT to do but to do WHAT GOD WANTS US TO DO.

Through times of humbling we are to place our complete trust in Him despite what we see or how grim the circumstances look. God cares most about our hearts. He cannot use a prideful hearted christian. But He certainly can humble them to draw them  close to Himself to be taught and to place their focus back on God's bigger plan instead of their own plan.

 Has God been humbling you lately? Don't be discouraged, press into Him and listen. Submit to His authority and know He is working things out for His good and your good!

 As Augustine said, humility is first, second and third in Christianity." Source: From Biblos:  http://topicalbible.org/h/humility.htm