January 6: Struggling with Humility? Try to Picture a Humble God
Lord God, Living and true. You are charity, you are wisdom, you are humility, you are meekness. Francis of Assisi
Gregg’s Reflection
“Come to me, all you that are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest… for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28–30)
Even after selling the business to pursue my calling in Christ, I was still driven. The need to prove myself had not died — it even shaped my attempts to live for God.
I slowly learned that God will let us hit the wall because He will not prop up the lie that we can work hard enough to become worthy. As a Lutheran, I professed salvation by grace through faith, but my operating system was still earning grace through effort.
Our souls find peace when we worship God and trust Him to provide. Rest is a spiritual discipline that both requires and restores trust. As I have learned to picture God as gentle and humble, it has softened my own heart and shifted my relationship with Him from striving to trusting.
Scripture
Come to me, all you that are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest… for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28–29
Ancient Quotes
Lord God, Living and true. You are charity, you are wisdom, you are humility… you are meekness…You are the hope, you are the faith, you are the love. You are our entire delight.
Francis of Assisi, Fontes Franciscani, translated by McGinn, Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism, p. 39-40
Our souls receive true peace and strength when we worship God… Rest helps us reside in the unconditional, unfailing, and forgiving love of God.
RENOVARÉ Study Bible notes on Numbers 29
Modern Writing
Humility is the mother of all virtues… it is in humility that we discover the beauty of our dependence on God.
Mother Teresa
Journaling Prompts
- How do you picture God when you pray?
- In what ways does picturing a humble God change your relationship with Him?
- How might humility in God invite humility in you?
- How do you let go of trying to earn God’s smile and lean into trust?
👉 Go deeper into this week’s theme:
Read the full Week 1 reflection: Abiding/Resting in God