#humble #waterwalkinggirls
Have you ever heard the expression “God has a way of humbling us?” I vividly remember one time that this happened to me. I was in college and loving life. This particular day I had to deliver a speech in my speech 101 class. I felt I had all my ducks in a row and that I was well prepared for the talk. I carefully picked out one of my cutest outfits to wear for the presentation. It was a warm spring day so I chose a white shorts set. On the top and shorts were splatters of bright paint. Ok stop laughing…it was in style at the time! I got dressed, fixed my hair and makeup and when I looked in the mirror I was mighty proud and how good I looked. I went to the cafeteria for lunch on my way to class. In the cafeteria several people commented on my cute outfit. Again I was feeling pretty proud as I walked to class. Finally the time came for me to deliver my speech. I did a great job! I was so proud! As I left class I was feeling great. I felt like I was walking on clouds. And then it happened. As I got into the sunlight and glanced down at my awesome outfit I saw a huge yellow stain on the front of my top. While my shirt had spattered paint on it there was not supposed to be any yellow on it. Apparently when I ate my hot dog at lunch I dropped some mustard on my shirt. My ego quickly deflated and I realized maybe I wasn’t as great as I thought I was. It was a great lesson in humility.

I share all this to say that sometimes we get all caught up in worldly accomplishments and we need to be reminded that this world is not where we should be focused. I did have a great speech but I didn’t write it in my own strength but in His. He guided my thoughts and words so that I would be prepared to deliver the best speech possible for the topic.
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes and enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you….Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:4-7; 10
Whenever we focus too much on our own accomplishments, earthly accolades or abilities we are losing our focus on Christ. It is hard to not get caught up in it though when others are complimenting us for our hard work or good job. We like to bask in the glory. That’s our human nature. God has blessed Julie and I with the opportunity to write for Him and share His love through our blog and Water Walkers site on social media. We are so thankful for this opportunity and that He has allowed us to be His vessel at this time. It is a very humbling position. We never want to take this for granted and we don’t want to ever take the focus from Him to us. We have adopted some phrases that you may have seen us write or say. Sometimes in response to a compliment or someone sharing something positive we will write/say “SDG.” SDG stands for Soli Deo Gloria which is Latin and means “glory to God alone.” Johann Sebastian Bach used to write SDG at the end of every musical piece he wrote. Like Bach, Julie and I always want God to shine through our writing.
The opposite of humble is proud/pride. If I look at times in my life when I have let pride edge in I realize it was when I was focusing on myself instead of on Christ. Years ago I participated in a Beth Moore Bible study. I don’t recall the name of the Bible study but my biggest take away was that what I do here on earth is not about me. All I say and do should point to Him. My words and actions should be a reflection of Jesus in my life.
How about you? As we have studied this week about being humble has God laid upon your heart an area that perhaps you have been focusing on your own abilities and accomplishments? Is God showing you a place that you need to be humble? Often when we become proud we become less loving to others. Ephesians 4:2 reminds us to “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Today examine your actions and words towards others. Are you being humble and kind?
***On a side note, notice the cover picture of the Ephesians scripture. It has a yellow cactus on it. This made me laugh as I remembered my yellow stain on my shirt. God truly has a sense of humor! LOL