Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.
This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)
Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!
Today's word: humility
What does the word humility mean to you?
Compare and contrast these two words that have the same root -
HUMBLED and HUMILIATED...
Let me know what you think!!
“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"
Hi Sharon -
ReplyDeleteI think of King Nebuchadnezzar who for years dwelled with the beasts in the field (Daniel 4)
due to pride. At the end of that time, he said, "Now I...praise and extol and honour the King of heaven...and those that walk in pride he is able to abase."
And James 4:6
...God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
I would expound on this one, but in great humility, I will defer to the great intellect at Sharon's place.
ReplyDeleteJust kidding.
Years ago, a chapel speaker at the girls' school said that humility did not mean thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.
I have never found it stated any better for me.
One of my favorite lines from a favorite movie is from "The Princess Diaries". It's near the end, when she says,
"...and then I thought... How many stupid times a day do I use the word 'I'?"
I have quoted that line to myself so many times since then.
Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteThis is a good word for me today, I have felt recently and especially yesterday humilitated, but perhaps I should view it as God humbling me, which is different. I am still not feeling too good, so not a long comment. I have just read Kerrie's blog and I am concerned for her and Jaiden too. Hope you are okay and rising on eagles wings above the trials and tribulations of this life. God Bless - Nita.
Stopped by for the first time and will be taking time to think on this today...I love the idea of "fanning the flame" I am going to start that today...good word
ReplyDeleteHello
ReplyDeleteWhat does humble mean to me? I see it as living with a meek spirit. One that is selfless and gives.
To be humbled is to be made to realise I am not everything. It is the opposite to proud.
Humility is to walk the walk of Jesus putting our feet daily within His footprints. Letting go of self and realising Him.
To be humiliated is someting none of us wish and yet to be humble, then we will not retaliate.
Humility...to give oneself over to the truth of their frailty and shortcomings without blaming another or excusing it away.
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh Sharon! I've been thinking a lot about humility and humble this week. In fact hubby and me had a conversation about it the other day trying to describe humility and humble. I'm still working on it, but I'm thinking to use the Model of humility and humbleness and build my life on how he lived (Jesus of course). Because I've been reading and God sustains the humble, gives grace to the humble and crowns the humble with salvation. So I want to be humble......
ReplyDeletebetty
I have been in many positions in my life time - that I would have to talk to myself and say I am a servant. God wants me to be a servant. I have to humble myself sometimes in order to do the jobs I've been asked to do. I have to accept it in mind too. It has not been easy.
ReplyDeleteLove,
sandie
Thank you, Sharon, for stopping by the blog and lending me some of your time and encouragement. It means a great deal to me in this season of my life.
ReplyDeleteHumility, for me, arrives when I begin to see myself in relation to who God IS. As I stand in his shadow and look up, I quickly find my knees and my humility. It's when I forget to stand there, to look up and behold myself in his marvelous light, that I lose track of his holiness. And it's usually not long after that, I get my humbling.
Blessings to you and yours this weekend. May the peace of Christ rule in your heart!
peace~elaine
Sharon,
ReplyDeleteI have often thought of the fact that I ask for humility, but don't want to be humbled (or humiliated)!
Sharon, what with being sick, I totally forgot to tell you that I have passed on an award to you! Come over and get it at my blog. (I had scheduled it and forgot:( You are deserving. It's a joy to read your encouragement in the Lord.
Much blessing,
Wendy
all these words remind me of feeling shame...not being good enough...being less than....turning away when someone hurts you....letting people do whatever they want and not speaking up. Maybe I don't think I really know what humility means...I think it's the opposite of pride...but not exactly sure what that is.
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere that 'humility' is a strange word. You lose it when you start to think that you are.
ReplyDeleteSmiles,
~Silver
Reflections
To me, to be humbled (by God) is something I don't cheerfully look forward to because it means He has had to force me down from some self made lofty place. I've also known times of paralyzing humiliation, bent so low and feeling so worthless, that I could not see the hand of God extended to lift me up.
ReplyDeleteBut I think the kind of biblical humility God admires was defined for us in the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. He left us a very clear model to follow. Real biblical humility is more than being aware of our ''helpless estate''. It is a beautiful expression of a believer's love for God. Jesus' motivation for doing what He did was purely out of love for the Father. It is a voluntary offering of all that we are and all that we have for God to do with as He pleases, for HIS glory.
Sandra - A perfect example of a proud person humbled, and a perfect verse to share. Properly humbled, we can stand in awe and praise the Lord.
ReplyDeleteDebbie - I like the chapel speaker's definition. It's very simple, and yet very profound. Your quote from the movie was great - me liked it (said it that way so I didn't say "I" - even though I just said "I" four times)!
Nita - Hope you're feeling better soon. Not feeling well is a humbling experience in itself. I am also praying for Kerrie and Jaiden. I'm hanging in there - my eagle wings are tired, but I'm still flying!
Janette - WELCOME! So glad you stopped by today. And glad that you like the idea of "fanning the flame." I think it's important to give our brains a workout now and then! :) I am also humbled by the fact that you have joined me on my journey! Thank you!
Mary - WELCOME to you, too! You have spoken very wise words about the idea of being humble. I especially like how you said it means to "walk the walk of Jesus putting our feet daily within His footprints." That is so true!
Parsley - LOVED this! A perfect definition. Giving over to the truth of our frailty. And only in humbling ourselves in this way, can we turn to the only One who can give us His Strength!
Betty - I agree! How funny that you guys have been talking about this same concept! Of course, Jesus is the PERFECT model. Great concepts about what He does for the humble - I suppose that's because only those who RECOGNIZE their NEED for Him, can receive His sustaining power.
Sandie - I'm glad you brought in the idea of being a servant. That's what occurs to me when I think about the humility of Jesus - and He, of course, is the ONLY example to follow. And I agree, being humble and/or humbled isn't easy - it goes against our sinful nature.
More responses coming right up...!
Elaine - It was my pleasure to visit your blog - I will definitely be back. Thank you for taking the time to give us your very valuable input on the idea of humility. I loved the picture you painted. Humbled in the shadow of the Almighty, we are uplifted...
ReplyDeleteWendy - I'd have to agree. Humility sounds like a wonderful character trait. The process of being humbled - not always easy. Thank you so much for the honor of your blog award! And I'm so appreciative of your kind and encouraging words...
Sarah - If I inadvertently stirred up negative feelings - I am sincerely sorry. Some of the comments here have really given me a lot of insight into the concept. Of course, the happiest example of humility I can think of is our dear Savior - who, though He was God - humbled Himself (willingly laid aside His Godness) to become a servant, and to suffer and die for us. In this sense, humility was not a "hammer" to beat us down, but a wondrous "gift" to lift us up where we could never go on our own.
Silver - WELCOME! So glad you came by for a visit! I really liked what you said. I had to stop and read it a couple of times - to let the full meaning sink in! It's a great idea - when you think you've got humility, you probably don't!! LOVE IT!
Melissa - These were profound words! Your comment would make a wonderful blog post! I liked what you said right at the beginning - humility is the opposite of a "self-made lofty place." I also really liked how you expounded on the idea of humility as an expression of love. Hadn't really thought of it that way. And your last sentence was perfect - couldn't have summed it up any better.
"It is a voluntary offering of all that we are and all that we have for God to do with as He pleases, for HIS glory."
Thank you, each one of you, for stopping by and leaving such great comments. You have certainly "fanned the flame" of my thinking about the concept of humility! Such wise words, one and all...
I close with this word from the WORD:
"Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names..." (Philippians 2:6-9)
JESUS - Praise God for our humble, suffering Savior!!
GOD BLESS!
Hi Sharon -
ReplyDeleteThis week someone shared this method with me.
If you are so inclined, please go to
www.pastorbrett.wordpress.com/2009/08/25/professor-horners-bible-reading-plan
I know that you have started a plan but am interested in what you think of the subject one.
Thank you, Sharon, for your consideration.
Note: I may put the question on my blog....
Sandra - Here's something very interesting. When I took a Christian speaker's training class last year, our teacher HIGHLY recommended this method of reading the Bible. I checked out the link you gave me, it's the same plan. She had nothing but GREAT praise for reading this way. I really respect her opinion, too - she is a real Bible scholar, and soundly grounded in the Truth. I'm liking what I've started this year - daily Bible reading ( the Daily Walk Bible), and three added daily devotional books. However, all that to say, that I am considering this plan for next year. If you post this question on your blog, I'd be interested in other peoples' opinions. It absolutely sounds like a winner...
ReplyDeleteGOD BLESS!
Hi Sharon -
ReplyDeleteThank you for visting and for your comments. Interesting indeed that you had already heard about it.