I think humility as a Spiritual Exercise goes along with the previous discipline – secrecy. Humility is one of the most difficult postures we can assume in life, and in our faith life. Humility requires us to be introspective to the point where we are aware and self-assured enough to say we are wrong, to allow the other to have their say, to put others first, and to submit to the will of G-d.

Now, it is one thing to assume a posture of humility before G-d, and another to live your life thinking that you are not better than other people. In the bible, humility or the state of being humble is a quality or a state of being. It is the opposite of aggressiveness, arrogance and boastfulness. Humility is taking the lower seat rather than taking the seat of honor (Luke 14:10). Humility means taking care of the stranger or the person who wronged you because it is the right thing to do – or in other words, humility allows you to check your ego at the door.

Many relationships are dissolved because of arrogance, aggressiveness, and self-centered living. All of our relationships are to be grounded in the love of G-d – and G-d’s love for us (Agape love). If we live within this reality of G-d’s amazing Grace and love, it will be easier to assume a humble posture before G-d while maintaining humility as a spiritual discipline.

Pastor Dave

This Spiritual discipline may sound just a little odd, but the idea is one that Jesus mentions in his teaching in Matthew 6:16ff. Jesus is heard to say, “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 17″But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face… so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you”

In this regard, during the season of Lent, it could be a spiritual discipline to practice doing good deeds for others and not letting anyone know you are doing them. You see, there is always that little voice in the back of my head, I call it the devil, saying something about being recognized for the good things that I do. This, of course is not the reason I do the good deeds that I do, but the little voice never gives up telling me I should be recognized or be thanked. I think it is human nature to want others to know about the good things we do, but this is not the reason G-d wants us to do good deeds. Good deeds are to come from the heart – and done whether someone notices or not.

I am sure you can think of someone from the church who, over the years, was the epitome of what I am speaking about – someone who did the work of G-d, not to be recognized but simply found great satisfaction for doing the work of G-d. There are people we know who do not want to run a committee or be part of any group, but just want to serve G-d.

I often say “Do good works” to people as I say goodbye to them. I do not tell people to do those good works so they might earn G-d’s Grace, nor to be recognized for doing it – it is a reminder to live our lives in the manner of the “Nike” company motto: “Just to it”.

Pastor Dave