Blogging about a blog... Is that unheard of???  I just read a post here http://aheartforgod.blogspot.com/2009/01/entering-valley-of-humiliation.html And it inspired some thoughts within me about myself.  How I- even as a Christian- will do most anything to avoid humiliation.  That my pride is my desire to please men, not God.  That I don't want to feel ashamed.  But it strikes me that humility- something I say I desire- comes from humiliation- that which I avoid. 

According to Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language, humiliation is "the act of humbling; the state of being humbled." Also, it is "the act of abasing pride; or the state of being reduced to lowliness of mind, meekness, penitence and submission." So to be made meek and humble, I need to accept humiliation into my life.  It is the catalyst that creates a spirit of humility.  Not very appealing is it?  I don't want people to know the 'real' me, my sins, my trials, my secret covetous nature.  But the desire to avoid humiliation inflates my pride.  And arrests any chance of me achieveing a humble heart.

Why do I want to be humble?  More than "because God's Word says so."  God has a reason behind everything He does.  He wants us to embrace humility for a purpose.  Why?  Again, I am turning to my dictionary to give me a deeper understanding of humility.  According to Webster, humility is "freedom from pride and arrogance; humbleness of mind; a modest estate of one's own worth."  Now this isn't the false "I'm so focused on my horrible self" type of humility.  True humility doesn't stay focused on self because of the rest of the definition.  (Stay with me here!)  "In theology, humility consist in lowliness of mind; a deep sense of one's own unworthiness in the sight of God, self-abasement, penitence for sin, and submission to the divine will."  Thank you Daniel Webster!  So, true humility will bring us to repentence and allow us to see how low we are and how great God is.  Then, when confronted with God's love, we are so deeply grateful- because WE KNOW OUR UNWORTHINESS! 

So humiliation is a true gift from God that allows us to see our need for Him- if we don't fight it, if we don't squirm away from it, if we allow God to work His will in our lives to His glory.  So instead of pretending everything is perfect, that I am perfect, I will trust God.  I will accept the truth about myself, my circumstances, people around me.  I will stop "keeping up with appearances" and will become more honest at the deepest level.  I will stop seeking the approval of man (or woman, friend, child, mother-in-law, co-op group, etc.) and rest in God's acceptance of me as an unworthy, sinful creation that desperately needs Him or ALL is lost.

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Lord, give me peace in all circumstances.  Stregthen my spirit to endure any humiliation that might make me see my dependence on You.  Destroy my self-sufficiency.  Make me totally dependent on You.  Amen.

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