If you happen to be a tramper, bushwalker, hiker in northern New Zealand, then undoubtedly you have heard of kauri dieback disease. A fungal infection killing off the beautiful ancient kauri trees, and destroying our forests. Some tracks have now been closed. We are no longer able to enjoy those places and sites. In other areas, before entering a track, one must cross the ‘disinfectant zone’. Boots are scrubbed and sprayed to cover them in disinfectant before entering or exiting a track, to aid in the long term future of those trees.
What’s this got to do with humility?
Allegory.
Because I have been contemplating humility. Yes, that’s correct. Humility.
The way I picture it, we are on a journey discovering God and His kingdom, discovering His glory, we have a future of greater intimacy with Him, of encounters, visitations, being caught up in the Spirit.. and seeing Him minister to the folks around us. It is a beautiful journey, the most stunning scenery, – even if the track gets a bit bumpy from time to time!
And I can see that, for this journey to continue, for greater clarity, for experiencing more of Him, I need to pause at the ‘disinfectant zone’. That is, I am pausing this past week or two, at the vital place of humility.
Contemplating the necessity of humility. How I need it to be increased in my life.
I see how Jesus, when He was on earth as The Son of Man, walked in, lived in, ministered in humility. He is humility.
For us to experience more of the supernatural power of God, to minister out of encounters, to love furiously, consistently, long-term, I am struck by how great a part humility plays in this.
1 Peter 5 says we are to clothe ourselves in humility.
Col 3:12 speaks of ‘putting on’ humility (along with kindness, meekness ..).
Romans 13:14 Paul writes about ‘putting on Jesus’ the ‘armor of light’.
See that? Putting on – clothing ourselves with Christ. Clothing ourselves with His attributes, that He appears to others through us.
We are to be humble. 1 Peter 5. God looks upon the lowly. Gives grace to the humble.
Because we are earthen vessels, (yes loved, redemmed, seated with Christ, alive in Him), but still earthen vessels that He has chosen to place His treasure inside, we in our own strength, our own efforts , cannot walk in true humility. We need Jesus’ humility. We need Jesus. To be clothed in Him.
Downloaded with His humility.
As we humble ourselves, allowing and receiving Jesus to clothe us, His grace comes. (Remember: He gives grace to the humble).
I am loving Strong’s description of grace (charis)….
‘Especially the divine influence upon the heart, and it’s reflection in the life’
How awesome is that. How powerful. His Divine influence upon our hearts. His transforming power, His character upon our hearts. And it’s reflection.. wow. To reflect the Divine, that people see Jesus and not ourselves. That people encounter Jesus …
Clothe me with Your humility Jesus.
Have Oil 