Tuesday August 8, 2023

Today is Tuesday, August 8 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.

I praise God for his steadfast love and faithfulness with the words of Psalm 25.

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant. Psalm 25:8-10

Pause and Pray

Jesus had a lot to say regarding humility. In the Gospel of Matthew he speaks to his disciples and the crowd that has gathered around them. In his address, he criticizes the teachers of the Jewish Laws and the Pharisees. He points out their vanity, pride and hypocrisy. He warns his followers to not do as they do. We are not to put on an outward show of religion that has no inner authenticity. We are to rid ourselves of pride and hypocrisy and replace these with genuine love and a sincere faith that expresses itself in humble service.

Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others. But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:5-12

As I read over these words of Jesus, I consider the things in my life I do to be seen. What do I do in order to be noticed? How do I want others to perceive me, whether in person or on a social media platform? I consider the places of honor or recognition I seek in my day to day world. I evaluate the times when I want to be greeted with admiration and respect. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, examined himself daily with twenty two questions. The following question was number one on his list. He asked, “Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?”Jesus invites me to examine my temptation to pride and calls me to a place of humility.

Ask: Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, thank you for reminding me that greatness in your kingdom is not measured in the same way as in the world. I am called to be your disciple and live a life of humble service. Show me where I am trying to be seen other than I truly am. Give me the opportunity to take a lesser seat, a lower place, a more humble position with the grace that you provide. Let my actions go unnoticed and bless others in obscurity and love. I read the words from Matthew again and listen for the message you have for me.

Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others. But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:5-12

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

God wants to speak to me today and reveal my places of vanity, hypocrisy and pride. Perhaps I have been influenced by the value the world places on things and I am trying to create a better impression of myself. Maybe God wants me to realize the value he places on me that far outweighs any admiration the world offers. I consider my struggle with pride and self-promotion in my past, present and future. I ponder how honest humility might set me free from trying to be something that I am not.

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, I invite you into my day to day world. Reveal the places where I am tempted to put on a good show, pretend I am better than I am or hide the truth. Set me free from trying to live up to the expectations of others and let me live a simple, humble life serving you as a child of God. Help me be far more interested in honoring and building up others than promoting myself. Amen.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

I leave this time of prayer with a humble and grateful heart. I go to serve others with compassion and humility shining the light of Christ.

Amen