Advent Series #10. What we can learn about Humility from the Advent

 

What we can learn about Humility from the Advent

Ego is one of our intractable enemies. Ego causes us to elevate ourselves at the expense of others. It keeps us from seeing our own issues even as it specializes in seeing the issues of others. It keeps us from apologizing when wrong, seeking reconciliation when estranged, and allows us to justify our sinful side and resist the correction of God and of others. Ego causes us to deal with others harshly rather than gently, to choose "truth" over "grace" in our interactions, and is at the root of all kinds of destructive behavior. Ego is truly the enemy.

What does ego have to do with Advent and what can we learn about humility from the incarnation? Think about this. Many of us will not walk across the street or make a phone call to apologize to someone we have wronged but the God of the universe left heaven and became a creature to bring reconciliation between God and man even though we were the ones who had created the chasm. 

To be humble, says Paul, is to be like God and to imitate what God did in the incarnation.

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:1-8).

Now that puts humility and ego in perspective. In fact, it is our ego that keeps us from humility, and yet it is humility that mirrors God. Jesus himself says, "I am gentle and humble of heart." Wow. How often do I realize that I am neither! 

Here is the fundamental issue with pride and ego. They are about us and they cause us to disregard others and their issues or their humanity. It puts "me" before others. The incarnation is all about God choosing to put aside the prerogatives of the creator to rescue the created. Thus He came to live with us and teaches us to enter into the lives of those around us in His name. Ego and pride remove me from others while humility causes me to engage with others.

To think of Advent is to think deeply about the posture of my own heart and my willingness to live with humility. It is humility that allows me to minister as Jesus did and to enter into the humanity of others. Ego kills that. Humility nurtures a Jesus attitude.

Father. I confess that I am prone to pride and resist humility. Help me to be like you so that I value others above myself and look not just to my interests but to the interests of others. Amen.