Courage

Today, I did something I've never done before. It was pretty great. You should try it sometime.

Good Friday

Today, God has taught me an important truth.

Oftentimes, I become prideful. In these times, my relationship with God suffers, and He always brings me back to the humility that he desires. God also always pairs the humbling experience with encouragement.

In the same way, encouraging others can only come from a humble mindset.

On Humility

I have been so convicted of my lack of humility. Not of blatant excessive pride - no. That issue would be much easier and simpler to address.

Concerning humility towards others...

In my entire life, I'm not sure that I have maintained a humble attitude toward others. I have been impressed, even awed by others' actions, and I have certainly acknowledged the intellectual or musical talents of some as superior to my own.

But this is not humility, it is honesty. Humility is not the degrading of yourself in comparison to others. Humility is finding value in the actions of others and encouraging them in their good works. Humility has never been choosing to outwardly deny your inner pride. Humility is recognizing and embracing that everything you have to offer is not of your own accord. Humility is not denying your own wishes or ambitions. Humility is the submission of your desires to your identity in Christ!

To my disappointment, I cannot think of a single person that I have approached or addressed with genuine humility. Starting today, I aim to listen and move with the Holy Spirit in changing that direction in my life. Friend, if you would join with me in prayer for that, it would be a great encouragement!

Concerning humility toward God...

By God's grace, I believe that I have approached God with sincere humility and reverence. There are certainly times in which I fail to maintain the humility. It is in these times that I certainly need to remember who I am, who God is, and what God is doing to make me who I am becoming.

God was incarnate in a human body, and he was made a humble servant. The Word of God made his dwelling among us. He suffered and died the humiliating death of a common criminal. Jesus was perfectly humble, recognizing that everything he said or did was from the Father to bring glory to the Father. Jesus humbled himself.

So, in humbling himself to that level, the Son of God became like us. Coming to the revelation that God so humbled himself out of love must still remain in the context of who God is. God humbled himself, but that does not make us closer to who he is. As John writes in the conclusion of I John, Jesus is "true God and eternal life," and we cannot suppose to attain that on our own. We have the hope of being transformed into his likeness at his return, but that comes with dying unto ourselves. That comes with humility, and it is critical that we maintain a humble attitude first toward God, and then to our neighbors. Only with this attitude can we truly love and serve as we are called!

Brothers and sisters, if you are willing to truly embrace humility and all of its implications, do so with a thankful, joyful heart and a hope rooted in the Lord's strength. 

A Knowing

So. If you haven't been involved in the past months of my life, here's the overall assessment: I'm in my second semester at a private Christian university.

And you might say, "GREAT, Nathan. You're just another sheltered, Christian guy from Colorado who defaulted to the school that would be most comfortable for you just because your parents went there back in the day and--"

And then I would disagree. Not because this school isn't comfortable, or because that description doesn't fit me... nor is it because I'm an antagonistic person. No, it's because you accused me of the "D" word. Defaulting.

But if I did that, I would be claiming that the 'fault' belongs to nobody! That is simply ridiculous. I would be in complete denial if I claimed that God was not at fault for my place in life. Oh no, He is much more than just 'at fault'. I am required to accuse him of INTENTIONALLY BLESSING me! God has knowingly done this to me, and there is no other way to go about it.

Nor did I deserve it. God has grown me more than any potential I have exhibited! I could never be this productive of my own accord, and if I had defaulted, I'd never have gone anywhere at all...

Yet, that's not what I'm going to write about. Instead, I am going to address a general weakness in the curriculum here at school:

All freshmen and transfer students are required to enroll in a Gateway class their first semester. This class gives an overview of a Christian worldview in today's society. The curriculum advocates openness to new views and attempts to cultivate a spirit that is not too quick to condemn either side of an argument. Also addressed is reasoning behind the beneficial nature of a liberal arts education for the Kingdom of God. This class also emphasizes how we can glorify the Creator even in our multi-faceted pursuit of education.

So you might say, "Nathan, this is good for--"

And once again, I would probably rudely interrupt you: "Sorry for interrupting," I would say, "But if you look at the list again, you'll notice a big hole. Something's missing."

And I would proceed to explain... this class emphasizes the glorification of God, yes, but in all of that it completely passes over the importance of actually knowing God! For example, I can glorify God by excelling and improving my musical abilities, and I glorify Him in my studies.

But I can devote all of my time to glorifying God without actually getting to know what He is saying, how I should reflect His heart, and how to trust Him. This does not develop the persevering relationship that He calls me to.

Nor is this actually glorifying to the Father that wants so much for me to know Him! No, I want to really know the Creator that - for a reason unbeknownst to me - decided to make me in His image. This is my ultimate desire: an overwhelming love for my God that overflows to those around me!

Yet, I still seek to glorify God. This is my prayer:

All of my actions, God, let them glorify your Name, but give me first the desire to know You and your heart for me!