humility

humility and grace: free from “not”

September 11, 2006
This entry is part 8 of 10 in the series humility

8th in a series on humility

Last Thursday’s meditation on rest and peace was just what I needed. In the midst of seeking to grow in humility, I was wearing myself out trying to do it myself. It seemed like I was trusting God, because in difficult situations, I was praying, “Holy Spirit, help me not to say the wrong thing.” That sounds good, and it got me through the people problems, but it took a toll on me.

That subtle focus on not is the problem. It’s harder to keep yourself from not doing one thing than it is to do something else; as I’ve noted elsewhere, not doing is an anti-goal. Living out the prayer “Holy Spirit, I will speak when you show me what to say” requires less effort than does the constant monitoring of “I want to say this; is it the wrong thing? What about that? Is that wrong?” A not focus requires vigilance; we become gatekeepers of our thoughts, words, and actions…

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humility and confidence: the secret to Dan-free living

September 12, 2006
This entry is part 9 of 10 in the series humility

9th in a series on humility

I’m high maintenance; “Dan” takes a lot of work. And I suspect you could probably say the same of yourself (I promise it won’t hurt too much to say aloud just once, “I’m high maintenance”). In being focused on meeting my needs, maintaining my sense of myself, protecting my rights and privileges, I’m neither resting nor peaceful. Nor am I particularly happy, because I’m constantly getting tromped on. My wife offends me, one of the kids hurts my feelings with a comment about my weight, a driver cuts me off or gets in my way, somebody’s kids annoy me while I’m shopping at Wal-Mart: I go through my day irritated that the world doesn’t cater to me.

I have experienced some moments of Dan-free living, and they were quite enjoyable, actually. Moments of not being concerned with me but with others or with the task at hand. Teaching is generally that way for me. I simply go and do; I’m not worried about how I look or sound or whether I’m coming off as smart and professorial. I enter fully into the moment and have a great time. And I’ve discovered in those moments that a grace is there that makes up the deficiencies and fills in the gaps. If–When–I make a mistake, I simply acknowledge it, laugh at myself, and keep going. Teaching in those times is effortless (and great fun!).

Here’s the secret with my teaching…

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good news! humility is God’s work

September 27, 2006
This entry is part 10 of 10 in the series humility

This is the 10th post in a series on humility.

As I’ve already noted, it’s easy to get caught up in developing humility on my own, out of my strength and determination. And certainly, determination is required–but it’s a determination not to do but to be, to rest, to trust. Andrew Murray makes that clear as he continues his exploration of humility.

In the chapter “Humility and Faith,” he states that pride works against faith and that “faith and humility are at their root one” because both focus on God as all in all. The next step in Murray’s study is to consider humility and death to self. Murray writes, “Humility and death are in their very nature one: humility is the bud; in death the fruit is ripened to perfection.” The obvious question is “how do I let God become all in all? How do I die to self?” I love Murray’s answer, because it takes the pressure off of me:…

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