God gives grace and favor through Christ Jesus to all who come to Him in faith. But He gave us the Word, Jesus, to teach us how to live in His grace as He wishes us to, and how He can most bless us. Being humble is one of those ways. Jesus was mighty in deed, but most humble in character.
Humility is more attitude than anything else, I believe, and it has much to do with serving others.
A truly humble person is not concerned with recognition; they simply look for ways they can give to those around them. A couple of those ways are from encouraging words, and showing love in what we do. Many of us are not confident enough to encourage others as we see ourselves lacking the right words. Still we care, and we want to do something that will help.
Chuck Swindoll points out in one of his books that so many in our lives have horrible struggles and have gone through bitter trials and losses, and it is often difficult to find the right words to comfort or help them. He suggests, “You just have to put your arms around them in prayer, and in person if appropriate or possible, and love them back to dignity and life.” We can all do that to show that we care, and that we are concerned for their well being. All of us can say, “I am praying for you”. “I am praying for the family.” “I am praying about ——-“
I grew up in the small town of Avalon, Texas. There was a Lady there that was known by everyone for her giving nature. Her name was Nannie, and when any person in that small community had a death in the family, or even a celebration of some kind, Nannie would show up promptly with the best caramel pie anyone has ever tasted. Every person in Avalon, I think, looked forward to eating her pies. Yes, they were that good.
The beauty of it, though, was Nannie’s caring and kindness toward her friends and neighbors. She was a person of few words, but she served others her famous pies because she wanted to bless them with something she had to give – her ability to make pies. Often Nannie did not stay for the event that was going on; she dropped off her pie in hopes that someone else would be pleased or comforted in some way by knowing that she cared. We need more Nannies.
We can all reach out humbly to others by giving what we have to share. Whatever that may be. A word. A small gift. Not for recognition, but just to let someone know that we care.
Have a wonderful rest of the week, God’s Beloveds. The Word says, “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace and favor to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5) Let us clothe ourselves with humility, and grace, and love, and let the blessings of His favor flow in and through us to those in our lives.
Poppa B.