Thursday August 10, 2023

Today is Thursday, August 10 and we are studying what the Bible says about humility.

I begin each day focusing on the most important relationship in my life, my relationship with God. I pause to center myself in his loving presence. I breathe in the blessings of contentment, joy and peace that he provides.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, in the morning I seek you. I set aside the upcoming day’s agenda and focus myself completely – body, mind and soul on you. Teach me to listen for your wisdom and adhere to your guidance as I travel today’s pilgrim journey. Amen.

In joyful gratitude I lift my praises to God with the words of Psalm 147.

Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the LORD with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp. Psalm 147:5-7

Pause and Pray

Jesus had much to say about humility. In the Gospel of Luke he is eating at the home of a prominent Pharisee on the Sabbath day. He is being carefully watched by the religious leaders. They are setting traps for him and waiting for him to slip up. Despite the observance of the Sabbath, he heals a man who is suffering from a heart condition. Criticism abounds. As people find their places at the dinner table and prepare to eat the meal, he tells them a parable about humility.

When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable, “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:7-11

I consider the places where I want to have the best seat in the house. Front row in the sanctuary, first in line in the drive-thru pick-up lane, front center section of the movie theater. Perhaps when they call my number for boarding the airplane, I nudge my way forward to the front. I want to find the shortest check out aisle, beat the person into line at the post office, and cut off other drivers to score a closer parking spot. All to improve my position. I want to sit next to the people I like at my child’s soccer game and not get “stuck” talking to someone I don’t care for. I want the best place.

Ask: What are the “best seats” and “places of honor” that I seek? How does Jesus’ teaching on humility inform my choices?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, help me recognize the places of importance that I seek, whether consciously or subconsciously. Where am I pushing in front of others so that I or my family will benefit? When do I seek worldly honor or recognition at the loss of genuine humility and self-sacrifice? Jesus, you are humble and gentle, yet holy and mighty. Teach me what it means to humble myself and yield the best places to others. I read the words from Luke again and listen for the message you have for me.

When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable, “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:7-11

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I listen to the wise words of Jesus with the ears of my heart. What might the Holy Spirit be revealing to me today about the nature of my soul? Perhaps I am enamored with places of honor, importance, and position. Maybe God wants to remind me that humility is a virtue. I consider how this parable informs my current circumstances. What difference would an attitude of humility make in the course of my upcoming day? Perhaps there is a relationship or a situation that calls for a humble posture instead of a proud one. How might yielding something to another be a form of God’s grace?

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus and teach me what it means to live a life of love with a humble heart. Remind me that there is a different kind of honor and recognition that comes with being your disciple that does not align with the ranks and positions of the world. Give me patience as I learn the virtues of humility. Amen.

The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. Isaiah 2:11

I leave this time of prayer seeking less for myself and more for others.

Amen