The Art of Humility

Humility. This word is rarely the hot topic at dinner parties, or even sermon series for that matter. We would rather talk about anything other than being humble because that’s so blah. How can we be “made to shine” when we are called to live a life of humility? 

However, when we open this leather-bound thing we call the Bible, we find that Jesus modeled the art of humility perfectly for us (and He was the essence of shiny while doing so!). He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, yet He showed up on this earth and slept in a feeding trough for animals. He allowed Himself to be baptized in the muddy Jordan River by His cousin. He rode on a donkey instead of a horse. He washed His disciples’ dirty feet. He died on a criminal’s cross. 

Yet at every turn His life-giving light spilled out onto everyone He came into contact with. He wasn’t concerned with being exalted in those moments; He was more concerned with showing us what a truly humble servant looks like. 

Paul sums up Christ’s humility perfectly in Philippians 2 by saying that even though He was God, He took on the very nature of a servant and humbled Himself. So much so that He became obedient to death on a cross, which was the most humiliating thing that a person could have done in that day and age!

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name (Philippians 2:9 NIV).

The art of humility doesn’t mean that we are self-deprecating or a doormat for the world to wipe their feet on. Rather, it means that we are changing the world by simply loving like Jesus loved and shining His light with every foot that we are willing to wash.

This Reflecting Light and others will be published in April’s new book Made to Shine: 90 Devotions to Enjoy and Reflect God’s Light to be released on May 5, 2020. Preorder your copy from Amazon today!