On Sunday morning the sermon at St Simons, delivered by the insightful Paul O’Gorman was all about the area of humility. With the focus on the story of King Nebuchadnezzar from Daniel 4 and then a wander in the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, we looked at the importance of humility and the example set by Christ himself.

This reminded me of a passage in Proverbs 8 (as well as many other places) where it is suggested that we humble ourselves. A number of years ago, as a very young leader in the church I found myself praying things like “…Lord please humble me…” or “…help me to be humble…” etc. etc. and then one day deciding that this wasn’t really something that was a great idea to be asking for.

If God decides to humble us (or even answer a prayer like the ones I uttered) then it’s going to get unpleasant. Much like the Israelites in Deuteronomy 8 who were humbled by being led in the desert for 40 years being fed only by Manna from heaven or like Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4 who when humbled by God was striped of all his finery, driven from his kingdom and left to insanity eating the grass like an animal with hair like eagles feathers and nails like birds claws (hmmm pleasant).

The example set by Christ is to humble ourselves and avoid this sort of humbling by God. Jesus; who the disciples referred to as teacher, leader, Lord washed their feet. This of course was the job of a slave. (Note: not even a servant, but a slave.)

Humility is a choice. It’s a decision that we should make, to be humble. God can humble us, but it is not really something that we want Him to do.

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” - Jam 4:6
Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. - Jam 4:10
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, - 1Pe 5:6