2022_11_25 Insight Post- Emma Keeton

  -   November 25, 2022

This week’s reading- Ephesians 3 & 4

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

Ephesians 4:1-2

It is no secret that spiritual growth takes time, in fact, it takes a lifetime. Ephesians 3 and 4 are full of insight as to how we can “put off falsehood” (Ephesians 4:25) and “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:24)

This week I have been thinking a lot about humility. Humility is placing God first. It is the opposite of narcissism which is to concentrate on ourselves. As Paul tells us to be “completely humble and gentle” (Ephesians 4:2), he is setting up a foundation for us to live as new creations. True humility sifts through our deepest motives, and the Holy Spirit shows us our brokenness. At times it can feel that we are way further back in our spiritual growth than what we had hoped, but thanks be to God, who does not view our progression the same way as we do. He loves us all the same.

To get a handle on the power of humility in our lives, here are 4 steps towards humility taken from St. Benedict’s 12 Steps of Humility.

  1. To accept that God is present in my life and to live from that awareness. (Fear of God)“O Lord, all my longing is to know you; my sighing is not hidden from you.” (Psalm 38:9)
  1. To recognize that I cannot always be in control, and to listen and respond to those who are—to be obedient. (Obedience) “He became obedient to the point of death.” (Philippians 2:8b)
  1. To practice self-disclosure with someone I trust. (Repentance) “Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity: I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave me the guilt of my sin.” (Psalm 32:5)
  1. To be patient and steadfast when our obedience places us in a difficult or unfair situation. (Perseverance) “The one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22)

Let us be patient with ourselves as we learn from Jesus a path towards humility that is counter our culture and to fully live in true righteousness and holiness.

Emma Keeton
Prayer Team Lead