humility...

Read Luke 1:39-56

The passage in Luke allows us to see two remarkable women, one older and one younger, teach by example a lesson too easily lost. They teach about the amazement that every person should have in sharing the blessings of God. It is, however, an amazement that can be felt only in a heart of humility.
Elizabeth was amazed to find herself in the presence of Mary, the mother of her Lord. Elizabeth was an older cousin to Mary. Therefore, it was out of a heart of humility she said that she did not deserve to be there.
Mary, on the other hand, was amazed at the fact that God had chosen her to serve Him in this special way. Her feelings were clear; God owed her nothing. Yet she had received everything from Him. Out of a heart of humility she acknowledged His work in her life.
Humility is a natural result when one truly recognizes the awesomeness of God. These two saints felt honored by God and expressed a deep sense of respect for Him. Their relationship with God was not a casual one, as if He were a friendly neighbor. To them, knowing God was an honor.
The apostle Paul stated in his letter to the Philippians a desire to know Him in all aspects of His life. Both the victories and the sufferings were desired to be known by Paul. It is when we are humble enough to identify the need to know Jesus Christ that we see Him in the light that He shines forth. John said in his gospel that to know Him was to have eternal life.
Society has taken for granted the aspect of the holy. Churches have become gathering places for social activity and a place of leisure. While those things are not wrong in and of themselves, they become wrong when that becomes the main focus of the church. The church is a place where the awesome, powerful and terrible presence of God is to be found. Are you too casual about the things of God? Awe is easily lost when familiarity with the Almighty is taken for granted. Keep a heart of humility and be amazed like Mary and Elizabeth.
Humility can be hard to obtain and even more difficult to keep-especially when we think we are humble. Aim low! Stay humble.

“Humility is the only true wisdom by which we prepare our minds for all the possible changes of life.”
- George Arliss