. . . count others more significant than yourselves— Philippians 2:3
Let’s first get straight on what “getting humble” is not. It’s not trying to think poorly of ourselves or denigrating ourselves or anything like that. It
actually involves taking the focus off ourselves. Getting humble is checking our tendency to think ourselves better than others, or more important,
valuable, worthy of time or mindshare or respect. Getting humble is shutting down our tendency to &q... moreGood day Templar family
. . . count others more significant than yourselves— Philippians 2:3
Let’s first get straight on what “getting humble” is not. It’s not trying to think poorly of ourselves or denigrating ourselves or anything like that. It
actually involves taking the focus off ourselves. Getting humble is checking our tendency to think ourselves better than others, or more important,
valuable, worthy of time or mindshare or respect. Getting humble is shutting down our tendency to "size people up” and position them on some scale—based on money, title, education, geography, whatever. Getting humble is recognizing all people as the careful works of God, equally worthy of love
and sacrifice.
Getting humble is counterintuitive, and it moves against prevailing culture. You see, we men want to feel successful, important—and have others consider us so. Culture trains us, therefore, to promote ourselves; to be strategic with our time and attention; to let positions determine our treatment of others. This training is foolish. It misses the sense and strength of humbleness.
Imagine someone humble. They’re often fearless, able to act on convictions, rather than trying to impress. Their decision-making is often sound,
unclouded by insecurity or prejudice. They listen and welcome honest differences. They abide critics, crushed not by their criticism. They’re
often magnetic, treating all people with respect. They engender loyalty, camaraderie. King Solomon wrote, “with the humble is wisdom”
(Proverbs 11:2). We want to work with humble people. We want to work for them and have them work for us. We want them as spouses, friends. But, mostly, we should want to get humble ourselves.
Practice getting humble. Choose something this week: initiate a conversation and listen more than you talk; serve in a way that’s mundane or difficult
(unpleasant, even); help someone anonymously; give someone the credit they deserve (even if you deserve some too).
Have a blessed Monday and week ahead
God's blessings Soli Deo Gloria🇿🇦🇬🇪🇮🇱⚔️
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus—
Philippians 3:14
In some respects, we know the people we’d like to become. For one, we’d like to be courageous for God, not simply surviving these lives, but living boldly in them. Well, we absolutely can (Romans 8:31-39).
The thing is . . . it’s hard. We’re easily distracted—by our drives for achievement and advancement and accumulation. And we’re easily made afraid—that we’ll be em... moreGood day Templar family
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus—
Philippians 3:14
In some respects, we know the people we’d like to become. For one, we’d like to be courageous for God, not simply surviving these lives, but living boldly in them. Well, we absolutely can (Romans 8:31-39).
The thing is . . . it’s hard. We’re easily distracted—by our drives for achievement and advancement and accumulation. And we’re easily made afraid—that we’ll be embarrassed if we act boldly for God; that we’re not qualified to stand with him; or just that we’ve never done it before and don’t know how to start. Yes, it’s difficult becoming courageous and, actually, it’s meant to be.
God didn’t create two types of people—some cowardly and some courageous. No, he
leaves the cowardice/courage decisions to us. That said, we cannot simply choose for courage and instantly become courageous any more than we can instantly become . . . say . . . orators or outdoorsmen. If we want to become either of those, we must practice. We must start small and fail and succeed; we must work and learn. So it is with courage. We become courageous l by practicing courage, by accumulating experiences, small at first, of actually being courageous.
So, there are two types of people, but it’s those willing to practice and those not, resigned instead to lives of safety. The good news, is that becoming the former doesn’t require an inordinate amount of time or a major lifestyle change. It just takes a bit of resolve.
Practice. Do something. Don’t overreach (and set yourself up for failure); but don’t reach too short either (and render your efforts pointless). Choose in the middle—something intimidating, but not overly. Here are some suggestions: face a phobia; spend time with someone the rest of the world avoids; serve in a way you’ve never served before.
Our prayers go out to Charlie Kirt's family. RIP brother
Have a blessed Thursday
God's blessings Soli Deo Gloria🇿🇦🇬🇪🇮🇱⚔️
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear—Psalm 118:6
“What’s the bold move?” It’s a question that should be asked often, in one form or another, when we gather in Christian community. It’s a question that challenges us to press our intellectual understanding of the truth of our King, Jesus Christ, into clear, practical action. It dares us to form Gospel words into living, breathing reality.
“What good is it, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? . . . ... moreGood day Templar family
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear—Psalm 118:6
“What’s the bold move?” It’s a question that should be asked often, in one form or another, when we gather in Christian community. It’s a question that challenges us to press our intellectual understanding of the truth of our King, Jesus Christ, into clear, practical action. It dares us to form Gospel words into living, breathing reality.
“What good is it, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? . . . Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” ( James 2:14,)
When we move boldly in faith it demonstrates—with our actions, with our lives—that we do indeed trust Jesus. It confirms that we’ll actually live our lives like we trust him. Maybe it’s finally deciding to draw clear work/home boundaries, despite ambition or difficulty; maybe it’s confessing some sin, despite embarrassment or awkwardness; maybe it’s giving money or time, despite greed or inconvenience; maybe it’s sharing our faith, despite discomfort or fear; or maybe it’s something else entirely. For each of us, there comes a time when we just must take action, must take risk. There comes a time when our faith mandates that action and risk are the only real options. And that’s when things begin to happen—big, breathtaking things—not because we seek them out necessarily, but because they’re the byproduct of lives that reflect faith.
How might you live out your faith with a bold move? Choose something simple, near-term (i.e., this week), and achievable. If you’re in community with others (and you should be), formulate your bold moves together, customized to each individual and circumstance. Then, keep one anothers accountable for executing them. This is one way communities of men and woman must
work.
Have a blessed Tuesday
God's blessings Soli Deo Gloria🇿🇦🇬🇪🇮🇱⚔️
