At the heart of unshakeable resilience lies a singular virtue – humility. This virtue, embodied by Jesus as He journeyed to the cross, underscores the profound connection between humanity and divinity. As we reflect on Philippians and the power of humility, we unveil its significance in Jesus’ sacrificial path and resurrection. Much like how Jesus embraced His humanity with humility, aligning Himself with our very essence, we are called to do the same. This exploration reveals the hidden strength of humility, guiding us to rise in the face of adversity, echoing the resilience found in Jesus’ journey.
Humility
It might be the singular virtue that allows our resilience to become unstoppable! It defines Jesus when he goes to the
cross.
Philippians 2:3-4 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambitions or conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourself, not looking to your interest, but the interest of others.”
Verse 5 – “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: who being in the very nature of God did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage. Rather, He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by being obedient unto death, even to death on the cross.”
So, humility drove Jesus to the cross. The word HUMILITY comes from the word SOIL. It’s the same word from which we get MAN. Adam, Clay, Earth.
So, humility and humanity are supposed to be one and the same. We actually become humble when we are most human. When we embrace our humanity.
And we are most human when we walk in our humility. I mean Jesus, even though he was God, he took on our Earth, our humanity. He became our dust like us. And in that humility, he gave himself on the cross as a sacrifice for all humanity.
Humility is what allowed Jesus to die for us. Humility is what postured Jesus to be raised from the dead.
Philippians goes on “Therefore” (everything said before is culminating in this moment)
“Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him a name above every name. That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on Earth and under the Earth, and every tongue should acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father!”
Jesus was raised from the dead because his humility drove him to the cross! And they thought he failed? That he lost?
But you cannot bring down a humble man or a humble woman. It’s easier to be knocked down when you try to be taller than you are.
Hey, when you’re “grounded” you cannot be knocked down. You’re easier to knock down when you try to be taller than you are.
Do you know why people are not resilient even though they look so talented, so gifted and so attractive? It’s because they’re shocked when they fail. They’re shocked when they lose.
“How could it happen to you? You’re so awesome. More gifted, more talented than everyone else. It can’t possibly be my fault?”
That’s why arrogance always looks for someone to blame. And humility always looks for a problem to fix.
What if Jesus took the arrogant posture and walked among us saying “Who ruined this world? Oh, you? Ugh.”
But instead of coming to condemn us, He came to free us and forgive us. He didn’t come to blame us for ruining this world.
He came as a servant to clean up the mess we made!
So, let me leave you with this thought:
You’re going to fail. You’re going to fall. You’re going to lose. And the great danger is you’ll spend your life
blaming other people, rather than realizing this is the opportunity of a lifetime!
Hey, I’m not here today because I’ve never lost or failed!
I’m here, like some of you, because I got up one more time than I failed!! Amen
I’m so tired of hearing about people overwhelmed with depression and despair, anxiety and stress! Who told you life wasn’t supposed to be hard?
I’ve spoken to two leaders from other states who are stressed and tired and taking a year off to rest! I knew immediately they shouldn’t have spoken to me!
I snapped, “You don’t think I’m tired?” (And I’m 25 years older than them.) I’ve been tired my entire life!
Who told you guys it wasn’t supposed to be hard?
Someone’s told you your dreams are supposed to come easy? Someone told you the government should take care of you?
That someone else should pay your bills? That someone else should help you succeed? Who is telling you life is supposed to be easy?
Folks, do not choose the easy path, the easy road. Do not choose the easy way! Choose a life that demands courage and resilience. That demands strength. Choose the hard path and make a difference in this life!!
And let me tell you what will happen:
Isaiah 40:29-31 – “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall. But those that hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Let me tell you, you will always have the opportunity to choose the easy road. That will allow you to become a lesser version of yourself.
But that’s not the road Jesus calls you to. He calls
you to step into the fullness of the life He created you to live.
And that life is gonna take courage. It will take strength and determination. But if you let Him, He will build up resilience in you. And no matter how many times you fall, you’ll rise, you’ll rise, you’ll rise!
