i have recently (over the past many months) grappled with the second chapter of the book phillipians, especially verse 3, "do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." it is on my desktop, on a sticky note on my computer, but most of all in my head!
it never fails that whenever i walk away from a quiet time, i walk away with that verse ringing in my ears, regardless of where i've been in the bible or in any other book for that matter (dangerous act of worship included)...
why are you beating me over the head with this, God?
so, rather than fight with Him, i chose to study just what it means...i have been amazed at what He has been doing in my head and heart over this...i will be teaching on december 30 at grace and i almost feel like God has been preparing me for that day for some time, though i feel hopelessly inept when it comes to speaking...but i AM sick and tired of how selfish i have remained, since my conversion to Christ...i am so ready to allow Him to reorient my view of the world around me...join me, will you...
ok, i found this very interesting: did you realize that the word "human" and "humility" are based on the same root as the word "humus"? You know what humus is right? Dirt! or better yet, compost - or as the american heritage dictionary puts it: a brown or black organic substance consisting of partially or wholly decayed vegetable or animal matter that provides nutrients for plants and increases the ability of soil to retain water...so basically, we are similar in nature to rotting garbage...but don't dwell too long on this...
as i was looking into the etymology of the word humility i stumbled over this quote, from a professor stephen gilbert:
“There is a strong link between human, humility and humus. When you and I are living up to our best as human beings, we are functioning like humus, not in the sense of garbage, but as the fundamental nurturing substance of life, the compost out of which new life emerges and reemerges. For an individual to act with true humility is also to act generatively: to help make things and people grow. Likewise, humble people are not lacking in pride or self-esteem, rather they are like humus, that is to say, they are down to earth, grounded, not pompous or puffed up; and thus they have enough self-confidence to be able to laugh even at themselves."
i also like that last statement "able to laugh at themselves"...like "humor", another word with the same root...
so, we humans came from dirt, are but dirt (brought to life by the breath of God (gen2:7)), and will return to dirt...
we should then use this dirt (gifted and empowered by God) to fertalize the lives of as many others (humility) as we can before we return to the dirt (laughing along the way because God's ridiculous plan includes us)...
God is so great!
craig
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2 comments:
Craig--thanks for the message on Sunday. I finally got to listen to it via podcast. You did a fantastic job--especially introducing the congregation to your version of humor.
I laughed out loud many times--in addition to taking away some good points.
You've presented me with some great challenges as far as not being "selfish" with my faith--even before this message. Thanks so much for your honesty, humility, and constant challenges for us to, well, change.
thanks lindsay... i am truly thankful and honored to be a part of the community of grace...
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