Humble Ourselves
Humble Ourselves || 1 Peter 5:5-11 || Tamika Brown
“God shows favor to the humble”. Whether we admit it or not, we all want to be the chosen one. Whether at work or school in relationships or situationships, we want to be THE one. When we are chosen, we feel special. We hold our heads a little higher and our confidence levels rise. What a privilege and an honor! God choosing us. God saying “hey gurl, you’re THE one”, “my guy, you’re THE one”. I don’t know about you, but that’s a boost I could use!
I’ve said before how much I like a good old action-item. A charge, if you will. Something that not only helps me learn but also holds me accountable. I believe that sometimes on this Christian journey we think that we have no responsibility/accountability towards our salvation. On the contrary, we must contribute! But how? How is it that we can create a consistent practice of humility? How do we Humble Ourselves? This Lenten season, let’s add some new tools to our toolbox!
This text provides 3 foundational + actionable tenets to help us.
1. Cast All Your Cares (v7)
Anyone who fishes, is familiar with casting, it simply means to throw or hurl; to throw off or away. God wants us to become well-practiced at throwing to God (with energy and conviction) the things that trouble us. This of course does not mean we will not have worries; it just means that when we do, our first thought should be “God’s got this”. Leaning on and into God in this way reminds us that it is humility that allows us to ask for help.
2. Be Alert and Focused (v8)
I frequently admonish my son to “get focused!”. He is an internet child and no matter that he also enjoys books, his attention span has been egregiously compromised because everything is computer or tech based and focusing is a challenge for him. And because of the numerous roles we play, jobs we do and ways we show up for others, the same is true for us. I believe this text is telling us that God wants us to slow our pace so that we can notice all that is around us and listen to the still small voice within us. When we focus on all the moments of grace, miracles and blessings surrounding us, how can we not be humble?
3. Stand Firm in the Faith (v8b,9)
“Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Listen! The b part of verse 8 hit me! I moved this part of the verse here because we are already well-versed + on the lookout for treacherous people around us, smiling in our face while spreading dissention, despair, chaos and confusion behind our backs.
I want us to learn to not get SO caught up in looking for/at the enemy that we miss God. Sometimes we get so busy talking about the enemy that we miss God’s abundance. Standing firm in the faith is where our focus should be, it is a practice for us to learn. Standing firm in the faith is our true north star. It guides us towards humility and turns our language into petition and thanksgiving, rather than “woe is me, the devil is busy”. Standing firm in the faith reminds us that God is.
Prayer: “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, Godself will restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To God be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” I Peter 5:10-11
“God shows favor to the humble”. Whether we admit it or not, we all want to be the chosen one. Whether at work or school in relationships or situationships, we want to be THE one. When we are chosen, we feel special. We hold our heads a little higher and our confidence levels rise. What a privilege and an honor! God choosing us. God saying “hey gurl, you’re THE one”, “my guy, you’re THE one”. I don’t know about you, but that’s a boost I could use!
I’ve said before how much I like a good old action-item. A charge, if you will. Something that not only helps me learn but also holds me accountable. I believe that sometimes on this Christian journey we think that we have no responsibility/accountability towards our salvation. On the contrary, we must contribute! But how? How is it that we can create a consistent practice of humility? How do we Humble Ourselves? This Lenten season, let’s add some new tools to our toolbox!
This text provides 3 foundational + actionable tenets to help us.
1. Cast All Your Cares (v7)
Anyone who fishes, is familiar with casting, it simply means to throw or hurl; to throw off or away. God wants us to become well-practiced at throwing to God (with energy and conviction) the things that trouble us. This of course does not mean we will not have worries; it just means that when we do, our first thought should be “God’s got this”. Leaning on and into God in this way reminds us that it is humility that allows us to ask for help.
2. Be Alert and Focused (v8)
I frequently admonish my son to “get focused!”. He is an internet child and no matter that he also enjoys books, his attention span has been egregiously compromised because everything is computer or tech based and focusing is a challenge for him. And because of the numerous roles we play, jobs we do and ways we show up for others, the same is true for us. I believe this text is telling us that God wants us to slow our pace so that we can notice all that is around us and listen to the still small voice within us. When we focus on all the moments of grace, miracles and blessings surrounding us, how can we not be humble?
3. Stand Firm in the Faith (v8b,9)
“Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Listen! The b part of verse 8 hit me! I moved this part of the verse here because we are already well-versed + on the lookout for treacherous people around us, smiling in our face while spreading dissention, despair, chaos and confusion behind our backs.
I want us to learn to not get SO caught up in looking for/at the enemy that we miss God. Sometimes we get so busy talking about the enemy that we miss God’s abundance. Standing firm in the faith is where our focus should be, it is a practice for us to learn. Standing firm in the faith is our true north star. It guides us towards humility and turns our language into petition and thanksgiving, rather than “woe is me, the devil is busy”. Standing firm in the faith reminds us that God is.
Prayer: “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, Godself will restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To God be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” I Peter 5:10-11
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