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Humble Thyself

This past weekend I watched two very enjoyable football games.  I haven’t had much of a chance to watch any games this season so it was a real treat.  Cal did an outstanding job in their victory over UCLA and the Colts had a wonderful contest against the Patriots.

I was particularly interested in the officials “cracking down” on the actions of a few after a good play.  It is about time that the focus be on the effort and not the dance or the put down of another player. 

While after touch-down celebrations seem to be less than in the past, there is an increase in the number of taunting incidents.  Taunting is defined as a bitter or sarcastic reproach.  The NFL seems to favor a definition that includes an act of showing off, deliberately mocking, or ridiculing the opponent. 

The wise words from New Testament teachings remind us of the importance that humility can play in our lives, “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”  James 4:10.

It is refreshing to see many professional football players kneel to the ground after a good play to celebrate their success with a quiet reflective moment.  That is a real contrast to the vibrant celebrations and ego-centered rampage we saw during most of the 1990’s.

The backslapping, head-pounding and high-strutting performance has its place and reward but blessed are those who acknowledge the success they achieved without making a mockery of the game.  Prolonged celebrations or taunting often leads to un-necessary delay of the game and brings about deep resentment and bitter criticism from the team scored upon.  Finally, there are rules in place to penalize the team who can’t control the behavior of a few.  I think the NFL is sending a strong message on putting the emphasis where it belongs - on good sportsmanship.

We are humbled when we see our own sin.

When I reflect upon who God is- how He is so Powerful, Holy, Sovereign, Mighty, Majestic and Glorious - all I can see is my own sin and how ordinary I am.

I’m reminded of the humility Isaiah experienced when comforted with the reality of God Almighty.  Isaiah ended up cursing himself: “Woe is me, for I am ruined (damned)! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts”. (Isa. 6:5).  In the New Testament we know the disciples were afraid and humbled after Jesus stilled the storm on the Sea of Galilee: “And they became very much afraid and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (Mark 4:41).  If we are humble before the true God, we’ll have the same response as these bible characters.

When people face the Holy presence of God in their lives the natural response is to become fearful and humbled.  But God does not leave us bowed down in awe or cowering in fear.  Some church leaders want to leave us with this posture and these feelings.   Scripture tells us that if we are humbled in spirit knowing that we are saved by grace, we will be sanctified (set apart-freed) and ultimately glorified. 

The apostle Paul summarizes this in Ephesians 2:4-7, “ But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

Dear friend, while respecting the power and might of God, remember His great love and gracious heart.  The first step to humility is to understand our sinfulness and ask for His forgiveness.  Christ showed us humility by becoming a man and living as a servant.  Let’s humbly serve others in a Christ-like manner. 

Next time an athlete takes a moment to give some quiet reflection to God for His goodness, let’s give that person an extra hand.

 “It is when we forget ourselves that we do things that are most likely to be remembered.”  Anonymous

Have a great week and please pray for the 10-year-old daughter of one of our staff - her name is Madision Rinehart - who was taken to the hospital with diabetic shock. 

Jim