A Simple Law To Live By

Love mercy

Act justly
Walk humbly

--- from  Micah 6:8

FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT - 2013

Scripture:

And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me a sinner!" Luke 18:13

Reflection:

Humility in prayer catches God's ear quicker than great volume in prayer. No, there is nothing wrong with praying loudly, but God is not deaf. He hears the heart's silent cry whether it is vocalized or not. Recognizing that prayers are answered because of his mercy and not because of our goodness is a mark of humility that attracts God's attention. We don't need a certain formula or a special wording for our prayers. But we do need the humble recognition that we are dependent on his mercy when we pray.

Prayer:

Merciful Father, we ask that you would grant us a spirit of humility. When we approach your throne, may we never draw near with a sense of entitlement nor with prayers that sound more like demands rather than requests. May we always be mindful that it is only because of your mercy and never because of our merits that you hear us when we pray. As your servants we ask this. Amen.

Proud to be Humble

I have seen tee shirts that read, "Proud to be a Christian!" I must tell you that phrase irritates me more than chewing aluminum foil. A more correct slogan would be, "Humbled to be a Christian" but even that expresses pride.

Humility is a somewhat of a "tricky virtue" to attain. For those who desire to be Christ-like it is something absolutely necessary, and is to be deeply desired and diligently sought after, for it exudes the very fragrance of the Savior. Here's the tricky part - once you begin to recognize it in your own life, it begins to leave you.

Philippians 2:5-8 reads:
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Notice again the words, "Let this mind [a mind of humility] be in you which was also in Christ." From time to time, we may pray to have "the mind of Christ" about a particular situation or a decision we must make. A key ingredient to having the mind of Christ is humility.

May you always look for and pursue humility in your life, but hope never to find it.