On Sunday, in Fayetteville, Georgia, we played a game of limbo. It happened right in the middle of service! Some of us might have been thinking why. Others might have been thinking that we’re not as flexible as we used to be. Isn’t that true? In our Christian lives, we can become rigid, tied up in our own ways, unwilling to bend or adapt. But sometimes God is asking us, “How low can you go?” Are you willing to humble yourself a little bit more? Are you willing to serve others with a greater heart?A.W. Tozer once said,
“For the Christian, humility is absolutely indispensable. Without it there can be no self-knowledge, no repentance, no faith and no salvation.”
AW Tozer
It is through humility that we truly come to know God and experience His grace. C.S. Lewis also warned about the dangers of pride, stating that it leads to every vice and is the complete anti-God state of mind.
“The vice I am talking of is Pride or Self-Conceit: and the virtue opposite to it, in Christian morals, is called Humility…According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere flea bites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
When we lack humility in our thoughts and actions, when we fail to consider what God wants from us and how we can serve others, we are becoming less like Jesus instead of more like Him. If our desire is to have more of Jesus in our lives, then it is essential that we embody and practice humility on a daily basis.
But what does it mean to go lower? How do we cultivate humility in our lives? Going lower means putting aside our own desires and ambitions for the sake of others. It means being willing to serve even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable. It means recognizing that true greatness comes not from exalting ourselves but from humbling ourselves before God and others.
In a world that often values power and prestige above all else, embracing humility goes against the grain. It requires us to let go of our egos and be vulnerable enough to admit when we are wrong or in need of help. It means valuing others above ourselves and seeking their well-being instead of our own.
Humility also requires us to cultivate a teachable spirit. It means recognizing that we don’t have all the answers and being open to learning from those around us, even if they are younger or less experienced. It means being willing to listen and consider different perspectives, instead of stubbornly clinging to our own opinions.
As we strive to go lower in humility, we will undoubtedly face challenges along the way. Our pride will rear its ugly head, tempting us to put ourselves first and resist the call to serve others. But it is in these moments that we must remember the example of Jesus, who humbled Himself and became a servant for our sake.
Jesus, the Son of God, willingly took on human form and lived among us. He didn’t come as a powerful ruler or a charismatic leader; instead, He came as a humble servant, washing His disciples’ feet and ultimately sacrificing Himself on the cross for our sins.
If Jesus, who is infinitely greater than any of us could ever be, can humble Himself in such a way, then surely we can follow His example. We can choose humility over pride, service over self-interest. We can go lower and lower in our pursuit of becoming more like Him.
So let us not allow rigidity or self-centeredness to hinder our growth as Christians. Let us embrace humility as an essential virtue that leads us closer to God and enables us to love others more deeply. Let humility be the foundation upon which we build our lives as followers of Christ.
In this journey towards greater humility, there may be times when it feels uncomfortable or challenging. But remember this: true greatness lies not in how high we can climb but in how low we are willing to go for the sake of others.
May humility mark every step of your Christian walk as you strive to embody the heart of Jesus himself – always willing to go lower for the glory of God and the good of those around you.
How low can you go?