The Path Towards Transformation
Have you ever had a thought or a word that seems to surface often in a short span of time? Almost like a broken record, it just continually repeats itself each day.
For months now, the word humility has continually echoed in my mind. I wouldn’t consider myself in any way to be a person of pride or arrogance, yet this word continued to resurface for quite some time.
What do you think it means to be humble?
Do you view humility as a positive or negative trait?
Positive
Negative
I have no idea!
I would argue that the answer is two-fold.
Being a humble person means that we view ourselves modestly. However, from a Biblical stance, humility is not about simply seeing ourselves as who we are but, more importantly, seeing God for who He really is.
God is Eternal
“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalm 90:2
The eternal state of the ALMIGHTY GOD depends on nothing outside of Himself.
But for me, you and all other humans, we are not eternal. There is a distinct moment that our lives begin and end on this earth. And as for my eternal destination –well, yes, it is dependent on myself and my choices but who I am is a result of who I humbly seek, submit and surrender my life to. The blessing of eternity with God is only possible because of who HE is and the SACRIFICE of His Son, JESUS!
God is All-Powerful
“Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17
The GOD OF THE UNIVERSE is the Creator of all things. Everything exists because of Him, and nothing exists without Him.
But for me, you, and all other humans, our degree of power is defined in comparison to the others around us. We are powerful based on our physical or mental strength –our title or position –our knowledge or lifestyle. But we are not all-powerful. The power we may possess on this earth is limited and can be lost at any given moment based on various circumstances. However, when we humbly surrender to the All-Powerful God, it is HIS POWER that works through us all for HIS HONOR and GLORY.
God is All-Knowing
“Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.” Psalm 147:5
The ONE TRUE GOD has a perfect, all-encompassing, and completely unlimited knowledge of all things in all places throughout all of history –past, present, and future.
But for me, you, and all other humans, our knowledge is limited in all ways. We will never reach complete holiness or perfection on this earth, and because of this, our ability to perceive, learn, and comprehend things in an uncompromised manner limits us. The degree of knowledge we possess is a result of factors such as the world we live in, the people we know, the experiences we have, and what God chooses to reveal to us. While we must learn to know, there are no constraints on God’s knowledge. He knows all because He created all and is above all. When we humbly trust in what we can know through Him and His Word, we are given the knowledge that He knows that we need to live a life that HONORS HIM.
God is Everywhere
“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!” Psalm 139:7-8
The OMNIPRESENT GOD has no boundaries and is unlimited in His reach and access to the entire earth and the thoughts and actions of us humans that He has purposely placed here to inhabit it.
But for me, you and all other humans, we occupy one space at a time. We cannot go into the past or the future; even in our present place, our capacities here are still limited. The human abilities of our physical, temporal earthly bodies bind us. But when we choose to follow the path that God intends for us with humility and willing heart, HE places us exactly where we need to be to MAKE HIS GLORIOUS NAME KNOWN.
God is Unchanging
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17
The character, nature, and plan of our sovereign God are the same today as they have always been and will always be.
But for me, you, and all other humans, change is a consistent part of our lives –physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, spatially, and more. The instability that this produces can often bring forth a sense of worry and anxiety. We cannot trust a truth that ebbs, flows, and mutates from one day to the next. But when we humbly acknowledge the immutable God, HE brings peace, hope, and joy into the chaos surrounding us so that we can live our lives in WORSHIP TO HIM.
God is Holy
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:3
THE HOLINESS OF GOD is not just an attribute; it is “the attribute” that permeates through all the others and encompasses who He is. He is eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, unchanging, and everywhere all at once. He is Perfect and unflawed. He needs nothing and lacks nothing. He is the “I AM” and He is HOLY.
But for me, you, and all other humans, we are imperfect! We are flawed, we are limited, we make mistakes, and we fall short. But we are created for a purpose by our Perfect Maker. Our failures are not products of a mistake He made. There was no glitch or oversight in the process. He did not forget what was needed or become distracted. He is God –Holy, Perfect, and Sufficient in all His ways. At the core of it all –the truth is that on our own, we can never be the person He made us to be.
But with a humble heart, we can know and trust that God loves us (John 3:16).
Humility allows us to see the truth of our fallen sin nature. (Romans 3:23).
In humility, we can recognize the damaging effects of our sins compared to the goodness of God’s unmerited grace (Romans 6:23).
Humble hearts rest in our unworthiness of God’s persistent love (Romans 5:8).
Humility makes possible our confession and belief that Jesus is God’s one and only Son, and through His death, burial, and resurrection, we are forgiven, redeemed, and made right (reconciled) before God (Romans 10:9-10).
In humility, we surrender our lives and call upon the One who gave up His life so that we may receive the promise of eternity (Romans 10:13).
And the result of this promise is that day by day –as we humbly pursue God and His Holiness, we are made holy, not because of who we are –but instead who we have become because of HIM.
Joyfully HIS,
Jennifer N. Pearson
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