But, His invitations to this journey have become frequent and His whispers more intense. I know it is where He wants me and so I must follow, mustn't I?
This journey I speak of is a journey into humility and selflessness. Humility.
Isn't there a funny Christian motto often repeated, one that goes something like, "Never pray for 'patience' or 'humility'" Or, something akin to "be careful what you ask for... you just might get it"?
A. W Tozer speaks of the "self-life" or the "labor or self" as one of the heaviest sins that veils our hearts and dampens our walks with God. (Pursuit of God) My self-life does weigh heavy over my eyes and my heart often!
Andrew Murray, speaks of humility when worn by believers as being exceedingly "beautiful" and "becoming". (Humility) I can instantly recall and picture the beauty I have witnessed "being worn" by humble believers I have known. It is attractive!
Thomas A. Kempis, shares that humility should be one of our first and foremost goals as believers in Jesus. (The Imitation of Christ) Is this the top of my prayer list--- my "asks" of God?
And, C.S. Lewis says that, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but of thinking of yourself less".
To think of myself less. Hmmm.... That is very hard. Very, very hard, indeed.
I think of myself a lot. All day, every day. How can I break free from this body of death?! (Romans 7:24)
But, I hear the sweet call from my Lord to follow Him on this road and to learn from Him. "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29)
Rest for my soul... that is the end of this road to humility. And, closeness to Jesus... this is the end of this journey into self-death.
And, so I will respond and I will continue to ask Him to teach me. Jesus I will take this road with you. Please lead me and walk with me. Be at my right, my left, above and below me. Jesus, teach me humility and gentleness---straight from your heart to mine.
A man can counterfeit love, he can coutnerfeit faith, he can coutnerfeit hope and all other graces, but it is very difficult to counterfeit humility. ~D.L.Moody
Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. - St. Augustine