LENT: Brokenness
The Old Testament connects humility with the experience of Israel’s slavery in Egypt – a poor, afflicted, suffering people. The New Testament idea is not far from this. The Greek that is translated “humility” or “humble” means “lowly” or “to make low.”
For example, Jesus said, "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4).
The picture of humility, then, is to empty ourselves of prestige. We demote ourselves in status and become like kids (who were not worshipped in Jesus’ day as they are in ours). We become last among men.
Humility sounds good in writing. It even has a cool, subversive vibe. But to step into the reality of your world is to remember how contrary this is to your thinking. In so many ways we are accustomed to building ourselves up – proving our worth, impressing people, wanting to be noticed and honored. Ironically, we even hope to be recognized for our humility.
If you thought giving up TV or chocolate for Lent was hard, give up trying to get recognition or attention for a day. You will find that our desire to be lifted up is subtle and pervasive.
In a little book called The Way of the Cross, Roy Hession wrote that “Revival is just the life of the Lord Jesus poured into human hearts.” The imagery depicts us as those who must be low enough to receive what is poured out. To be made low, our will must be broken. We must know what it means to say, “not my will but yours be done,” and “not I, but Christ.” This is truly what is at the center of denying self.
How do we humble ourselves in this way? Hession goes on to write penetrating words about the self:
So I will press the question further: How can we be broken? In other words, if this is what must happen, then how does it happen?
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 18
For example, Jesus said, "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4).
The picture of humility, then, is to empty ourselves of prestige. We demote ourselves in status and become like kids (who were not worshipped in Jesus’ day as they are in ours). We become last among men.
Humility sounds good in writing. It even has a cool, subversive vibe. But to step into the reality of your world is to remember how contrary this is to your thinking. In so many ways we are accustomed to building ourselves up – proving our worth, impressing people, wanting to be noticed and honored. Ironically, we even hope to be recognized for our humility.
If you thought giving up TV or chocolate for Lent was hard, give up trying to get recognition or attention for a day. You will find that our desire to be lifted up is subtle and pervasive.
In a little book called The Way of the Cross, Roy Hession wrote that “Revival is just the life of the Lord Jesus poured into human hearts.” The imagery depicts us as those who must be low enough to receive what is poured out. To be made low, our will must be broken. We must know what it means to say, “not my will but yours be done,” and “not I, but Christ.” This is truly what is at the center of denying self.
How do we humble ourselves in this way? Hession goes on to write penetrating words about the self:
First of all, our proud self must be broken. Our own self must give up its rights. Our self is hard. It does not want to obey God. It likes to show that it is right. It wants to go its own way. It wants to claim all its rights. It always seeks glory for itself. The self must bow to God’s will. It must confess that it is wrong. It must give up its own way. It must obey the Lord Jesus. It must give up all its glory. Only in this way can the Lord Jesus have all and be all in our lives. We must die to self.
So I will press the question further: How can we be broken? In other words, if this is what must happen, then how does it happen?
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 18
posted by Will | 8:25 AM
2 Comments:
Humility comes through suffering. I just spent the last hour and a half at the throne (the one in the bathroom, not the one in Heaven), and I have never felt more humble in my life.
On a slightly more serious note, I hate what I am doing right now. My student teaching is simply not enjoyable. But never in my life have I been so consistent in waking up with the idea that I cannot do anything on my own without the help of God. Now, I realize that there are much more dire situations in the world to be in than the one I currently am in. I am not trying to be all "my life sucks, have pity on me." But it has been a really tough semester for me and I am only halfway done.
It was a sad day when I woke up on Monday and wanted to quit school thinking no good would come of it if I stuck it out. That it would be more harm to the kids if I stayed there. What I forgot was what we heard from God on Sunday: that he uses ALL things for the good of those who love Him. It wasn't even 24 hours before I forgot that truth. But he does use all things, especially unpleasant situations to work for our good. Most of the time (at least for me) He uses those times of suffering to bring me to humility.
The “how” and “what” of brokenness, for me, starts do with internalizing the method first…rephrasing this eloquent writing, here is what it sounds like in my head:
First of all, I, myself, must be broken. I, myself, must give up my rights. I am hard. I do not want to obey God. I like to show that I am right. I want to go my own way. I want to claim all my rights. I always seek glory for myself. I must bow to God’s will. I must confess that I am wrong. I must give up my own way. I must obey the Lord Jesus. I must give up all my glory. Only in this way can the Lord Jesus have all and be all in my life. I must die to self.
Suffering is a sharp tool that God uses to shape my soul. I can choose to lean into the knife or deflect it. Luke 18 is rich with imagery and encouragement: pray fervently and persistently (1-8), never forget that I am a sinner (9-14) and an heir (15-17), let go of the world (18-29), and above all trust Merciful Jesus, worship & exalt Him (31-43). No matter how ugly and painful life can be He suffered more – he knows my pain. That gives me confidence within the humiliation of my circumstance. - Cindy
Post a Comment
<< Home