Humility

I got notice of an acquaintance from my singles' group at church who died a few days ago. The man was not that old. It stupefied me to remember him as he sat at my table on a regular basis, and told of how his life was changed by God and by joining our Celebrate Recovery group. Each week he would proclaim the positive and profound impact that each had on his life. Each week, I would sit there and wonder, "Why on God's green earth is this man talking about this same thing over and over? Doesn't he have anything more to talk about?" Each week, he continued to tell how he built community with other men who encouraged him to follow hard after God and stay on the wagon. So, why did this guy, who, let's be honest, annoyed me talking about the same things repeatedly impact me today?


First, his death taught me that a life is valuable because God loves that life. God especially loves to see one repent of their sins and turn to him, which is what this person did. His former life that he led was not a "good life." He filled it with substance abuse and selfishness. Yet, when he surrendered to God's call, he found fulfillment. Like Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "If any man is in Christ he is a new creation...." This man became a new creation, filled with the Holy Spirit and a desire to see more become disciples of God. When he became a part of Celebrate Recovery he lived a transformed life because he found people who were willing to be honest with him and he could trust them with those honest and hard things of life. What a testimony!

Second, his death taught me that I need humility. Why was I so annoyed? From where does this spirit of judgment come? It comes from ME. This man in my class declared, on a consistent basis, his need for God and his desire for other to join him in finding community, peace, and love in Christ. Me, I chose to look at him and get annoyed. How selfish! How utterly primitive and base. I was reminded last week, by a relative, about Philippians 2:1-11. Those principles are to consume me. The attitude of a servant begins in the mind and should permeate my whole being. Yet, I struggle daily with these sins of pride and arrogance.

God, help me to know that you love all of us as we are, not as we should be. Remind me daily that when I submit to pride, I deprive you of your glory by taking it for myself. Father, I am sorry.