Humble

I keep a simple spreadsheet on my computer that organizes alphabetically all the words and stories that Jesus and I have co-authored these past years.  I am truly humbled that this list continues to grow and feel blessed to receive such a gift and inspirations I share with you every week. 

While focusing on our Lenten journey this year, especially with reading daily scripture, I couldn’t believe, after searching my list, that the word humble was missing.  And isn’t that what Lent is all about – to recognize that living out the Christian life is not about being a know-it-all?  It’s not about making sure we get the last word in.  It’s not even about having to be right or telling the best story to those around us.  Being humble is not about being more – it is recognizing that we are less.  I just picked up a short, easy-to-read book that our church was handing out for Lent by Matthew Kelly, one of my favorite authors.  His book, “The Forgotten Way,”  opens up with this statement,  “You are standing on the threshold of a new frontier.  If you’re not open to undertaking substantial spiritual growth, you should put this book down right now.  Walk away.”  Would you put it down and walk away?  No way!  I wanted to read more to see what words of wisdom could bring me closer to Jesus. 

Think of all the ads on television and social media these days.  There are thousands (maybe millions) of products that promise better health, better sleep, weight loss and other quick fixes.   We buy products thinking it will be an easy solution.  So, naturally, I’m drawn to Matthew Kelly’s promise to heighten my spiritual growth.  Maybe this book is the solution.  But reading further (I’m still on the first page), without being held in suspense like all the advertisements, he actually gives us the answer at the beginning!

He goes onto write, “The promise of this book is very simple:  You can transform your life by changing the way you speak.”  He continues, “Governing your speech is a sure path to holiness.”  Well, I don’t know about you, but that’s what I pray for.  So, I continue to read on, since this was one of my Lenten goals – to do more spiritual reading.

Give it a try –  Start being aware of your thoughts and especially the words we speak all during the day.  One thing for sure, it  humbled me.  If Lent is a time of doing with less, being less, I think you’ll find that changing how we speak to ourselves and others will change the way we live as a Christian.  You will quickly be humbled by the many times we speak our harsh words, make judgements and disrespect others.  We were all created equally, in God’s image.

This week, take time to read one of my favorite and very humbling stories in the Book of Jonah about the people of Nineveh.  Realizing they had sinned, they took action  and humbled themselves before God, not wishing to be destroyed.  That is our Lent.  A sacred time to realize that our own actions and words have consequences and are always before God.  Let us not be delayed.  Repent!  Humble yourselves in the eyes of the Lord.

“So, the people of Nineveh believed God, and  proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.”  Jonah 3:5