Looking at pride and humility

Humble yourselves; Sit down

Jeremiah 13:18

Isn’t that just the most humble thing you can do? Just sit down! The context of this verse is tough. Jeremiah, the prophet, called for the people to humble themselves but they would not. God had spoken, and every time He does, the people have the opportunity to respond in pride or humility. This verse had called for the king and the queen mother to humble themselves. If they would, hopefully the people would follow. This is indicative of how leaders always have to go first, leading the way in repentance and humility. He was a young king but had risen high in honor. But if they would not the fall would be devastating, even to the loss of his crown.

As I was reading through all the verses with the words pride or humble in scripture, this one caught my attention. It really is simple. Humility sits down when pride raises itself up. How many times have you felt “the little one in you” who has walk through an embarrassing moment many years ago and at that time, somewhere you, you said to yourself, “I will never be treated like that again.” Now, every time you encounter something that even faintly resembles that – you rise up in defiance. I know this! It becomes almost like a default setting.

I love that this verse spells humility out in the simplest of terms. Sit down. When you feel your spirit rising up to say something smart, sit down. When you feel your heart rise up to defend yourself, sit down. When you hear your mind start to concoct a sound argument against another, sit down. When you sense your soul begin to arise and declare in a vow or promise that I will never ever be in this situation ever again, sit down. And then what? Turn to the Lord!

Heart Check #1

I love to write. But any more these days I wonder, what’s the point? To be honest, part of the joy of writing is the sharing of and the moment when it connects with someone else. I appreciate more than you know the few people who comment, like, or add to the things that I share.

But times are changing. It’s not like several years ago when you could share, and people would engage. Now, there is so much content out there, most people barely see what is shared. And if they do, the compelling need to scroll is overwhelming. Every phone is made with a “panel” expressing what is the best way to get me to keep using my phone. It’s working.

Plus, in my opinion, our phones are listening to our conversations. Why do I think that? Because I had a conversation with a friend about her new bed and I saw ads for that same bed the next time I picked up my phone. Then, on top of that, the algorithms are giving us more of what we already are looking at. So, we are often distracted and being distracted in an echo chamber.

Maybe someone else feels this way too?

I am often torn between, “why do I write, is it for myself, for God, or for others to see it?” This question brushes up against me like a branch that barely touches something else. If I was that something else, I would feel a lite tickle, sometimes annoyed, and a little bit like sniping the end off. I wonder am I just being prideful, like what I write is so amazing that people ought to pay attention? I don’t think so. I genuinely want to see God use what He gives me to write and see it help you understand, grow, and know Him more. So why? Why do I feel this way? Why does this fly, this flying lie, keep buzzing me? Why does the hook and sinker to what “seems like” my pride start with attention, from you? I can’t tell you that yet! But I can tell you that I am paying attention and can see the enemy dangling this bait in front of me and I will find out!

Audible book I just got:

About the Book: Sometimes you slip through the cracks: unforeseen circumstances like an abrupt illness, the death of a loved one, a breakup, or a job loss can derail a life. These periods of dislocation can be lonely and unexpected. For May, her husband fell ill, her son stopped attending school, and her own medical issues led her to leave a demanding job. Wintering explores how she not only endured this painful time, but embraced the singular opportunities it offered.

The first time I was introduced to wintering was when my friend Corrine used the term one day when we were talking. I have often said, “Why is it that when all the world begins to pull back, the trees drop their leaves, and the animals begin to hibernate, why do we humans keep running toward Christmas and then in January start a new year’s go-go program?” It makes no sense.

Slowing down like the rest of the Creators creation is wintering. I got this book because I am intrigued by the thought of leaning into the principals of wintering during hardship. Doesn’t that just make sense? Like, take care of yourself when life is hard by wintering.

“We have seasons when we flourish and seasons when the leaves fall from us, revealing our bare bones. Given time, they grow again.”

-Katherine May

Pull back, rest, slow down, stop running according to all the expectations of the world. Find grace in the midst of the dumpster fire days.

Thanks for Listening,

Starla