As long as I can remember, I’ve struggled with arrogance and pride. I’m a natural researcher, and tend to learn best independently. So when someone comes along and tries to teach me something new, especially if I arrogantly feel that I know enough on the topic, I have a really hard time letting the new information in.
When Jesus came on the scene, there were many who struggled with the same issues that I do. They knew the Scriptures inside and out, and all of a sudden there was this new Rabbi that gave a different perspective and taught new ideas. Unfortunately, many of these people refused to humble themselves enough to consider the healing words of Jesus.
Humility is a hard one. It's often difficult to admit when I am wrong, or when I need help or guidance, and I don’t think that I’m alone in this. At different points in our lives, we are all found trying to forge our own paths, creating our own truths, or believing that we’re the most intelligent person in the room.
But here’s the problem - John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Jesus is that Word. Jesus is also our great Shepherd, and he says in John 10:27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” So, if Jesus is the Word, then we should humble ourselves to hear what he has to say. And if he is the Shepherd, then we should humble ourselves to follow his lead.
Humbling our hearts before him by recognizing that he is God and that we are not, is the first step toward truly learning and growing. Asking him to help you surrender your control in order to learn can be the half step that comes before the humbling. Sometimes, I even go as far as asking him to pry my fingers loose from the death grip I have on whatever it is I think I know.
Before we can begin to learn anything real from our Savior, we need to be willing to ask him to teach us his word, and to lead us down his path toward righteousness.
Dear God, Show me your ways and teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Amen
Try This: Find a quiet spot to sit with your palms up in surrender and pray this scripture with an open and willing heart. Memorize it. Repeat it as often as you need in order to turn your own arrogance and pride into humility so that you can begin to learn all he has for you.
Photo Credit: Vitaly Gariev