To be humble

We depart in practically 6 weeks! It seems so soon. The evening of August 2nd we depart Boston and return on the 18th. Yes, the airline tickets have been bought.  Now most of our meetings will consist of team building, learning Swahili, learning cultural differences, and discussing what kind of teachings or studies we want to do (like should we focus on Noah's Ark and do a play?  Or a game that revolves around Jonah?  Is there a parable or commandment we want to emphasize?  So many possibilities to discuss!).

One thing we are doing as a team is going through a devotional put out by Christ's Hope.  It is basically specific verses to focus on important topics such as taking security in God, what true wisdom is, what fasting really is, and so on.  We are to do one daily, but I'm a bit behind so I often find myself doing two or three a day.  The one that has stood out to me lately is Goodness through Micah 6:8:

He has shown you, O mortal [man], what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. (NIV)

I primarily know it as a camp song I grew up with and it is also a well known verse.  Rather than simply check it off as a verse reread, I decided to look closer at the words.  Too many times we as Christians assume we know what verses mean just because we have them memorized.  Ummm, yeah, that is a major oversight!

According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, "justly" is to be honest and moral.  But biblically, what does this mean?  I took out my ESV Study Bible, and basically the honesty aspect is self explanatory -- don't lie.  To practice morality is to do what is right.  Who determines right from wrong?  Scripture.  Therefore, one who is just is one who makes right decisions according to God's commands and who does not take advantage of others.

To practice mercy is the equivalent to practicing love (as in all of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7), being considerate and compassionate of other's needs, and showing kindness to all people.  The circumstance doesn't matter here.  Basic and hardcore needs all require mercy.  It's to be practiced toward people you like.  And, people you don't.  in other words, don't be selfish.

And lastly, walking humbly does not mean getting from one place by placing one foot in front of the other. Walking in this sense is how we should live.  So, to live humbly is to be patient when hardships or suffering comes and to endure and work through it.  In other words, there is no room for complaining, revenge, or selfishness.  Complaining is the equivalent to not trusting God with circumstances that arise and denying that any good can come out of them.  We forget that God can turn any situation around -- take Joseph for example in Genesis 50:20, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."  This is all better known as humility, submitting to God's will and trusting that all situations will turn out for the greater good of something.

All in all, Micah 6:8 sheds light on three traits that we, as Christians, are to live out.  Accomplishing all of these tasks daily is quite daunting most of the time; so much that, personally, I fall short on all three before the morning has passed.  So many times I'd rather be caught up in what our society promotes the most: individualistic nature -- in other words, "it's all about me" and "I'll react how I want to."  But did you know the Bible emphasizes community, never individualism?  I am constantly peeling myself away from American mentalities.  I think the main point to learn from Micah 6:8 is to strive for humility and not be wrapped up in yourself.  Why was the entry entitled Goodness specifically, I am not sure.  I mean I have pretty much emphasized humility here.  Yet, there is a lot of goodness that must be carried out in order to be humble.

For any non-Christians who still may be reading, I encourage you to consider how living out one of these three areas would change your life.  (Like, to not complain for a week or to be kind to every person you came into contact with).  It's not easy, yet people will probably notice a change in you.  Why do you think this change would be perceived as desirable?