The Lowly Baby Jesus
By Jon Walker
[Jesus], being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:6–7 (NIV)
Most of us approach humility in one of two ways:
- We act like humble looks. We consciously act the way we think humility looks. But, by doing that, we live with a fabricated humility.
- We assume we’re unworthy. We assume we’re insignificant, and we live like a Tom Petty-Refugee, as if we’re somehow second-class.
The biblical approach to humility means you understand exactly who you are, but more importantly you understand exactly whose you are and that God has placed you where he wants you for such a time as this. In this way, your humility is not attached to your self-esteem.
In other words, rather than trying to think less of yourself, think more of God.
When you agree with God’s view of you, a Jesus-formed humility emerges in you. Like a lowly baby in a manger, you’re no longer burdened by needing to know all the answers or needing be in control of everything. You are dependent on God and those God sends to help you.
This is the thing: you will succeed in your Jesus-life because of who God is, not because of who you are. He supports you, not because you pretend toward perfection, but because he knows you can’t succeed without him. In your humility he becomes your strength for any task before you. God created you, prepared you, and called you to share the good news for such a time as this.
If you’d like to receive these devotionals regularly, you can sign-up at www.gracecreates.com/subscribe/. Jon Walker writes from www.gracecreates.com. He is a Zondervan author, and the former writer/editor of the Purpose Driven Life On-Line Devotionals. This devotional is copyrighted 2008 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.
