Moving Forward with Humility in a Broken World

I was shocked by the events on January 6th at our nation’s capital as it was overrun by extremists. I am sure you were shocked as well. As I thought about all that has transpired, I felt the need to communicate with you how I see a way believers can move forward. Here are my thoughts.

The last several years have been devasting. People are deeply divided on many levels and the divisions run deeper than simply political affiliations or ideologies. Christians are sadly divided over issues of politics, personalities, and the pandemic. I do not imagine many people seeing the church being more unified today than she was twenty years ago. Divisions within Christianity are increasing as the art of listening becomes deaf, the art of conversation becomes mute, and the art of blame-shifting is honed to perfection. Our network of house churches has not been spared from the divisions created over the past several years.

Believers must recognize that there is an enemy of unity, a promoter of division, and his name is Satan. We should never underestimate the faithfulness of Satan. Jesus told us that this thief, Satan, is committed to “…kill, steal, and destroy” (John 10:10a). Killing dreams and/or people, stealing possessions and/or hope, and destroying ideas and/or unity all find their roots in pride, and prideful thinking is fueled by the Thief.

Pride says I’m right and you are wrong. Pride uses people and ideas to their own advantage. Pride suggests that one is more righteous than another because their ideas are superior. Pride often comes with arrogance (Proverbs 8:13; Jeremiah 49:16).  Pride demands to be heard but is not concerned to listen. Pride promotes self and shifts the blame to others. Pride is vociferous, arrogant, and despises those who disagree (Obadiah 1:3). Pride causes disunity, division, and disorientation. Pride is opposed by God (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). When God is against you, you will lose every single time. 

In my seeking and straining to hear the voice of the Lord through His Word, in my spirit, and with my community of believers, I am discerning the need for humility in our dealing with these deep divisions (Proverbs 22:4). Humility desires to listen and think together while being reserved to share words or allow emotions to drive further division (Proverbs 12:15; James 1:19). Humility allows for gentleness, tolerance, and preserves unity (Ephesians 4:1–6). Humility speaks the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and is able to refute arrogance while being kind, patient, and corrective with others (2 Timothy 2:22–26). Humility causes grace to flow from God to the humble (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5–6). God promises that when we are humble, He will exalt us when He knows the time is right (1 Peter 5:6).

Humility is depending on the Lord to shift hearts towards Him, always aware that there is the opposition of Satan’s faithfulness (1 Peter 5:8). The battle is real. The casualties are real. Our need is to realize our dependence upon His wisdom and guidance. 

The Scriptures are overflowing with stories of humble yet rugged underdogs, who overcame impossible odds and were yet victorious (e.g., 1 Samuel 14:6, 17:48; Acts 4:13–14). Living for Jesus means battling together against the enemy which takes courage, resilience, and reliance upon Him, in humility and hunger for more of God’s reign in our midst. 

I want to encourage us to show the world the strength of humility and the dependence upon the Lord. While there will be disagreements between us, humility finds a way forward without demoralizing others (Romans 12:3, 16). Humility invites us to believe and, hope in the best for each other (1 Corinthians 13:7). God will win, He always does. Our role is to follow Him, nudging others to do the same. 

Here are some questions we might ponder for ourselves.

• Is there someone who I cut out of my circle or have pushed away because their ideas are different than mine? 
• Does this relationship need repairing? What steps can you take to begin to repair the past pain? 
• Do I give grace for others to have opinions that aren’t necessarily wrong, but different than mine? 
• Do I have a person who immediately comes to mind when these questions are asked of me, thus pointing to them instead of looking to myself?