Hey there, friends!
Have you ever noticed how Jesus likes to throw us for a loop and flip our expectations upside down? In the Kingdom of God, the last become first, the weak become strong, and the humble become exalted.
Hmmm, that seems to be upside down by world standards, don’t you think?
In many societies, being first is praised and rewarded. We strive to be the best, the fastest, and the strongest. We are in a “survival-of-the-fittest" mentality. Our world also often celebrates strength, power, and resilience. We're told to "toughen up" and "be strong." And humility, well, we often associate humility with meekness or lowliness.
In other words, we live in a world that promotes pride in order to be successful.
Pride takes away our joy.
Pride is like a party crasher who shows up uninvited and overstays its welcome. It puffs us up, making us think we're the life of the party; but really, it's just a joy-sucker in disguise. Pride whispers lies like, "You are the center of the universe," and "You don't need anyone else."
I believe if we are not intentional in striving for humility, our world today can be overcome by pride through teaching us that we are the center of the universe.
There are several examples of how this is happening in our world:
Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter can create a false sense of self-importance. We curate our highlight reels, gain followers, and receive likes and comments, which can lead us to believe we're the stars of our own shows.
Reality TV shows and personalities that focus on individual success, beauty, and wealth can reinforce the idea that we are the main characters in our own dramas.
Through advertising we are constantly bombarded with messages telling us we deserve the best, we are worth it, and we need the latest and greatest. This can create a sense of entitlement and self-centeredness.
The pressure to constantly achieve and succeed can lead us to believe that our worth is tied to our output, making us the center of our own universes.
It's important to recognize and balance these influences with a healthy dose of humility, empathy, and perspective.
It’s not that all these are bad. They are part of our reality.
Therefore, we need to also be intentional in acknowledging our place in the world and valuing others' experiences and contributions so we can cultivate a more grounded and compassionate sense of self.
Humility is where we find joy.
Humility is like a refreshing breeze on a summer day. It reminds us that we are not the stars of the show, but rather, we are part of a bigger story – God's story.
Humility whispers truths like, "You are loved, not because of what you do, but because of who you are," and "You are stronger together than you are alone."
If we can turn our world upside down and take the focus off self, I think we will begin to see the bigger story God is creating. We can choose to be part of God’s story by showing humility in many ways.
Here are some examples:
When we engage in acts of service and volunteering, we begin to recognize the value of others' experiences and struggles.
Exposing ourselves to different cultures, beliefs, and ways of life can foster empathy and understanding, encouraging humility.
I am the first to want to save those I love from experiencing failures and setbacks, but these experiences can humble individuals and teach them valuable lessons.
Truly hearing and understanding others' stories and perspectives can help us recognize the value of others' experiences.
Working together in community towards a common goal can teach us the value of teamwork and interdependence.
By embracing these experiences, we can develop a more humble and grounded approach to life, recognizing our place in the world and valuing the contributions of others.
The Upside-Down Kingdom
In the Kingdom of God, less pride means more joy. When we humble ourselves, we find freedom from the weight of self-importance.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
We experience the joy of serving others.
“Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:43-45 (NIV)
We discover the beauty of unity and community.
“A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples,
if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35 (NIV)
In the Upside-Down Kingdom, humility is the ultimate superpower. By choosing less pride and more humility, we'll find ourselves experiencing more joy, more love, and more of God's presence in our lives.
What are your thoughts? Share your stories of how humility has brought joy to your life!
Happy upside-down living, friends!
With love and joy,
Laura
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