Lessons in Humility
As I have shared in previous posts, Jacob and I have been reading a book called Humility: True Greatness by CJ Mahaney. I can’t say enough good things about it. He shares stories about cream cheese on the face among others that have stuck in my brain. One particular chapter he discussed the way that sleep and accepting God’s gift of sleep is a way of humbling ourselves. So I thought about writing about how we’ve learned to rest while on the field. But then I have been bulldozed by the fact that Mahaney could have written a whole chapter on how learning a language is a good tool for practicing humility.
Last week Jacob started his French class and yesterday I started some tutoring. I no longer have any romantic ideas about learning a new language. That wore off after learning the last one. I don’t have lots of free time to fill with extra activities. And if I did I probably wouldn’t choose to spend it on something that is difficult and humbling.
As Jacob and I reflected on this task that the Lord has given us to learn French, it feels like a mountain. Our current inability to communicate is humbling. We don’t know much and everyone else can see that. Our determination (or lack of it) to learn the language does not give us any hope that it will actually happen. Our planning leaves us feeling unable to know exactly when we will use French anyways. And admittedly in my heart I have the temptation to run from all this humbling.
If PRIDE is wanting to know much, then HUMILITY is accepting that I don’t know everything and admitting it.
If PRIDE is feeling that I can do whatever I set my mind to, then HUMILITY is accepting that I can’t and admitting I need God’s help.
If PRIDE is being able to plan every step ahead of me, then HUMILITY is surrendering my next step to Him and trusting that He will lead me.
I was encouraged yesterday as we drove to a French speaking church. Jacob reminded the kids and I that we wouldn’t know much of what was being said or sung, but that the only way to learn is to ask the Lord for help to put ourselves in situations where we can learn little by little. He reminded us that God has purposes for us to learn French, beyond what we can know or understand, and that Satan does not want us to have another tool for the calling God has given us.
Pray that God will give us humble hearts to ask Him for help when it’s difficult, be diligent to study and trust that He has good plans in the process.delivery female cialis
Our discipleship study this morning was on humility and I greatly appreciate your comments and vulnerability. I pray as it says in Isaiah 40 that you would all abide in the presence of the one who’s understanding no one can fathom and rest in His master plan!