that fickle thing of humility

I read a book, which in light of the Gospels, rang true as the key to living Christ-centric. There was but one ingredient with the centrifugal force to create a black hole in our flesh that sucks all the cosmos of our human condition by this one thing--

Humility.

"This is the true self-denial to which our Savior calls us--the acknowledgement that self has nothing good in it except as an empty vessel which God must fill...If we feel that this life is too high for us and beyond our reach, it must, even more, urge us to seek it in Him. It is the indwelling Christ who will this life in us, meek and lowly....The root of all virtue and grace--of all faith and acceptable worship--is that we know that we have nothing but what we receive, and bow in deepest humility to wait upon on God for it."  Humility, Chapter 3 (pages 24 and 25) by Andrew Murray

And yet, there is a smelting process which refines the impurities of our condition. That extraction of all our godly props to knowing our inky, black hearts in light of Christ, which humbles us from our own good works, our religious virtues, even our redeemed qualities which we use in judgement of others.

It doesn't mean we must live poorly or cast all material things from us. This western culture lures us with trinkets and play things and idols on every corner but it's the poor in spirit, the empty of heart He calls us to be.

He's interested in the beating pulse which bows low, not the worldly material things we toy with.

This I've wondered, even struggled with lately-- after my pious pride was fell-ed among the rubble of this farm, how do I build a new, shiny house and not forget the lesson? I beat my chest in silent fear I will walk away and return to my former-self.

Do I pause here forever and not move forward? My former Amish friend reminded me: it's the heart which holds weight with God, not our surplus or our poverty. Oh to stay clothed in all things, humility! This is a hard thing to do and yet--

"Men sometimes speak as if humility and meekness would rob us of what is noble and bold and manlike. Oh that all would believe that this is the nobility of the Kingdom of heaven! If they would understand that this is the royal spirit that the King of heaven displayed, that this is God-like, to humble oneself to become servant of all!" Humility, Chapter 4

I've read "Humility" by Murray, but it's the living it out by revelation where it takes root, only. Living it in relationship to one another, in forgiving seventy times seven, in recgonizing my own wicked heart which leads to Grace, but first comes through humility. And the more I learn of it, the more I'm aware of my need for an ever-increasing supply.

"When in the presence of God lowliness of heart has become, not a posture we assume for a time when we think of Him, or pray to Him, but the very spirit of our life, it will manifest itself in all our bearing toward our brethren." Humility, Ch. 6

This is our work: "The command is clear: humble yourself. That does not mean that it is your work to conquer and cast out the pride of your nature and to form within yourself the lowliness of the holy Jesus. No, this is God's work.....Accept with gratitude everything that God allows from within or without, from friend or enemy, in nature or in grace, to remind you of your need of humbling, and to help you to it." Humility, Ch. 12

And the very gratitude of this work requires His miracle Spirit enabling our surrendered hearts to walk up the top of that fire-y furnace and be thrown into the fire, so we may walk with Him among the flames.

May we learn more of it, lower our self to the very pit. Some days I want to grab a shovel and help Him dig, but even this is a surrender. We must be lowered by His Spirit so He may clothe us in all the finery of Christ's humility, allowing this super-natural working to remove the yeast of our natural-working-pride-flesh and leave glowing words on headstones for the world.

"Water always fills the lowest places first. The lower, the emptier a man lies before God, the speedier and the fuller the inflow of the divine glory will be." Humility, Ch. 12, Andrew Murray

Sharing at Ann's this week--Humility.