Dec. 1: Humility - Tom Belhorn

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2)

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
(Micah 6:8)
The Old Testament is filled with encouragement to be humble and warnings for those who refuse to do so. The New Testament has many verses that encourage humility and tell of the blessings received by those who put others before themselves.

But what is humility? Freedom from pride or arrogance, per one source. The quality of being humble. “Self-forgetfulness” is another term that sums up humility. In The Purpose-Driven Life, Rick Warren describes humility as “not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. Humility is thinking more of others”. It is one of many qualities to strive for and to hope to attain.

I look at the world today. Who are the best role models for humility? I am saddened. It seems the quality of being humble does not hold as much value in our current society. I do think of some saints at Orange and others in my present and past who were / are great models of this virtue, but it is difficult to find someone who is demonstrating this to the world. But there is one. A great role model for humility.

Today is the first day of Advent. Four weeks of celebration. Anticipation. Preparation. Reflections on hope - peace - joy - love. Culminating in the joyful celebration of the birth of our Father, our Savior, the King of Kings – in the humblest setting you can imagine. In a stable, a shelter for animals. Laid in a
manger.

And this was only the beginning for a life of humility.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! (Phillippians 2:5-8)

Here is our role model.

One final thought. And this one is a difficult truth. True humility is not achieved without God. It is only through accepting, understanding, believing, and experiencing the great news of God’s grace. Only then can we “live out” the gospel and be the light to others. To show others the virtue of true humility.
 
A prayer for today:
Heavenly Father-

Today we begin a time of preparation and anticipation of the celebrations ahead. Let me experience true hope, peace, joy, and the love I can experience only through you.

And help me to be humble, to show true humility. Help me to be your light in the world.

Tom Belhorn