"humble yourselves in the sight of the lord"

Quoting a recent sermon commentator, "the pangs of sorrow are everywhere these days." Nearly everyone I talk to is discouraged. Many people I talk to are lamenting the loss of friendships. We struggle to interpret what is happening in our country politically. We struggle to understand wars that have consumed the world. Our brains are burnt out by the news cycle. Social media consumes us.

Years ago, after a brief foray into Facebook, I "signed off" tired of reading posts from friends and parishioners who posted and reposted hateful and divisive messages, many of them absolute lies. I wondered if anyone actually listened to my sermons! When did we get to the point of accepting lies as truth? Why do we believe it is ok to lie as long as it justifies what we want to believe? The pangs of sorrow are everywhere these days.

The bible says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)." It's not my favorite bible verse, but it is certainly the most honest. Regardless of background or merit, political party or country of origin, gender or sexual identity, skin color or language, we do not measure up to God. We fall short. We say things and do things that do not represent the best desires of God for us. Humility goes a long way when it comes to understanding ourselves and our neighbors.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord (James 4:10). Humility is not thinking less of ourselves. Humility is thinking about ourselves less. It puts us in a proper relationship with God and with our neighbor. When you lower yourself, you lift God up. When you lower yourself, you lift others up.

May you be blessed in the lifting!

Pastor Geib