It is amazing how we hide behind this notion of not being too much as Christians We often hear that the bible must be read and interpreted within context. This will require a bit of research into the back story and the lesson being taught in that specific context then figuring out how the lesson can be translated into our story. Often times rather than delving deep we look at it from a surface standpoint and miss our truth and the invaluable lesson that God would have us learn.
And so today I want to start a conversation about humility and not being too much as Christians as opposed to showing up and showing out. I did a bit of research and a couple of the verses that I came across which dealt with humility also includes the word proud. One such verse I would love to highlight is in 1 Peter:5 it reads “In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Also in 2 Chronicles 7:14 it reads if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
If we were to think on both verses we will realize they refer to our posture. Many times we believe we know what is best for us, from young to old you see this being played out. We are unable to accept that someone else can ‘school’ us including our Heavenly Father. It is at this point that He would have us understand that humility must be the order of the day.
So let’s talk about shrinking for a minute, here’s a definition for you – “to become or cause to become smaller in size”. Can you see us as Christians doing this because we do not want to seem too much.
So we see Christians doing well and seemingly living a secular life. Most times it is because of our own hang ups why we view these Christians in the way we do. They live in the world like all of us do. They avail themselves of the things in the world just like any of us would do. One thing I would point out here that good or bad, the ability to create comes from God. What we do with the ability is up to us. Another thing is this – we are unable to see that like so many people in the old testament that God blessed because of their obedience and faithfulness, likewise He is blessing His present day people for their obedience and faithfulness too . So how about just stepping up to receive yours?
We would be shortsighted to not remember that God placed us here to have dominion over the world. We do such a great injustice when we shrink and not take hold of the resources given to us to set this world on fire with our creativity and gifting.
Jacqueline Johnson
Are some of us like the man spoken of in the parable of talents found in Matthew 25. I will not get into the interpretation here, suffice to say that if we are like the man who buried his talent then we are shrinking. We have been given gifts and talents that must be put on display for the whole world to see who is in control of this world. When we shrink and hide OUR GIFTS, when we second guess because we feel less than, we are seriously doing an injustice to our creator and to ourselves and to the many that we are called to.
In Matthew 5:16 KJV we read “ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.“” What more do we need? We have been given the highest permission to be ourselves. We have also been admonished to ensure that all glory is given to the almighty father and here is where humility must come into play… God must get the glory, not man. We must resist the desire to get the praise and to look accomplished in the eyes of others. We must remove all self effort and openly profess – not by might, nor by power but by The Holy Spirit at work within us. All that we are able to accomplish is by The Holy Spirit within us.
I believe as Christians who are truly allowing the Holy Spirit to do the work within us, we will begin to recognize the difference between shrinking and showing up for Christ. We will utilize everything in the world that is at our disposal (Our Father’s world) to allow God’s gifting and talent placed on the inside of us to magnificently and powerfully impact this earth.
Shrinking is just not of your Father. What a great thing to be given this task of influence and what a sad thing to be misled into shrinking.
