The past few days have all but ruined me, and in the best possible way. I am ruined for anything less than the presence of Jesus. Within the past week, I attended a retreat that was titled “Restoring the soul of your leadership”, my ten-year reunion from Moody Bible Institute, and the IF:Gathering – not to mention being on the receiving end of life-giving time spent with my mom, sister, and dear friends. It’s honestly been one blessing after the other, and I find myself tremendously grateful for the people who God has positioned in my life and the opportunities to tell of His goodness. The well is deep, friends. It’s deep.
My week was not without its challenges, though. Getting myself to the IF:Gathering was seeming to prove itself impossible, until God made a way the day of the event. I drove myself across the snow-covered suburbs of Chicago, and joined a group of women from Willow Creek and other surrounding churches who welcomed me into their community with open arms. And then it began.
Attending the IF:Gathering last year was a game changer for me. I remember it as if it were yesterday. Its impact has been immeasurable, and so I was eager to see what the Lord had for me this year. I could never have guessed even if I tried. Bob Goff showed up with his wife and shared some powerfully profound yet simple truths that were so convicting to me. The one question he posed to the thousands around the globe watching was this:
“What is the next humblest version of you?”
You may need to just pause for a moment and chew on that. The next humblest version. I have a tendency to look to the desired end result in most things, and with my gaze fixed solely on that, I miss much of the in-between. In faith, God simply calls you and I to the very next step. What is the next step, that next thing that God is calling you to? In regards to humility and becoming more like Jesus Christ, which is the life-long journey we are all on if we are in Christ, what “Philippians 2:3” is He calling you into?
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
What step of humility does God want you to take today? In your marriage? With your kids? At your job? With your neighbor? In your singleness? With your roommate? At your church? With your family? What would it look like for you right now, in this moment, to consider others and their needs above and before your own?
“What is the next humblest version of you?”
You and I are not going to be just like Jesus tomorrow, but we can be a bit more like Him today. A life of humility mirrors Christ more than almost anything. A refusal to feed pride and a rejection of personal arrogance is a step in the right direction. How can you humble yourself today? Whose needs can you put before your own today, in the here and now?
What is the next expression of humility that God is calling you to walk in and embrace?
A word spoken in due season….how sweet it is….timely message for me as I go through a time at work of long hours, piles of work and challenging people….
Praying for you every day, mom, that your words and actions are filled with grace and tempered with patience while at work. I love you so much!
Beautiful call to humility. Thank you Cherie! Sounds like your cup is full…Don’t you wish you could bottle all that love and refreshment up for the dry?
Yes, I do! Maybe I’ll just try and do that. 🙂 Thanks for reading, Kelli!