February 9, 2024 — Humility as a Spiritual Discipline

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.

Humility can be described as not asserting ourselves in order to come under the authority, wisdom, and power of Jesus Christ. And 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). This then means, as Paul says, that our love is to be patient, kind, not arrogant, rude or boastful. These are qualities of G-d’s love, and G-d wants us to love others with the same love. Yes our love will always be imperfect. But as a spiritual discipline, we can seek to focus on how we can change our self-centered tendencies, and seek to be more humble in all of our relationships.

Pastor Dave

February 8, 2024 — Secrecy as a Spiritual Discipline

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. 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 the little voice in the back of my head telling me to feel good 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. I think it is human nature to want others to know 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.

About ten years ago there was a young man from my congregation who died who, in my mind, was the epitome of what I am speaking about. This man was often at church doing the work of G-d, not to be recognized for doing the work of G-d. He did not want to run a committee or be part of any group, he just wanted to serve G-d as he struggled with finding Grace in his life.

As I often say to people as I leave a meeting, “Do good works”, my friends, but not to earn G-d’s Grace, nor to be recognized for doing it – just do them.

Pastor Dave