To love is to be humbled. It takes all of who we are to love. When we love one another we share God, because God is love. When we are humbled before God to love above all else we are submitting to His greatest commandment. We are only able to do this when we put God at the center of everything in our lives. Loving our neighbor becomes much more attainable when God is at the center of everything. We are blessed when we shift our priorities to God and others over self. Letting go of striving for our wants, and the things we feel entitled to is when we gain back our lives (Matthew 16:25). This is because when we serve others by loving them God provides all we wanted and tried to strive for on our own.
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:29-31 NIV
It is because of God’s grace and mercy for us that we are able to live a free life. We are wise to not think ourselves above anyone or anything. We were created to serve and we serve best when we love. Our love comes most easily when we accept a reality of humility. The lesson of humility is to know that we are nothing without God (Galatians 6:3), and we are not capable of doing for ourselves without Him (John 15:4-5). When we approach our lives with dependence on Christ, lifting others as best we can, we find that we are lifted. This is how our lives gain purpose, forward progress and direction in His will.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
Romans 12:3 NIV
Considerations for your planner:
- Write one of these scriptures down. Reflect on how the Lord is moving in your life allowing you to be humbled and love greater.
- Are you inviting God into every aspect of your life? Take a moment to write down the specific areas He may not be in and invite Him.
A Story of Humbled Action:
It's hard sometimes to find time to spend with God. It’s when I get in the car and the music is on k-love that I start jamming out and singing so loud I know people can hear me. When I really let go and I don't care, I raise my hands.
It's taken a long time for me to really know that the Lord is always with me. There are times I don't feel him, but I know He is there. I have just started in the last week to pray when I get up and go to bed.
I have become such a better person through this surrender of prayer. I am humbled to work on me with the Lord’s help. I am a stronger person for me, because of the Lord.
- Tamara
Strengthen the Christian Planner Family by sharing your experiences. We'd love to hear a story about God's work in your life. Use the form linked below to submit your story.
