Flaws. Shortcomings. Humanity.

“Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real.” -Thomas Merton.

So maybe im dwelling on this subject of pride wayy too much, but i constantly oscillate between this subject and the subject of Grace…maybe it is because Pride is the greatest obstacle to Grace.
Awakening 08 was an incredible event. The theme was “Awaken the Real”. We wanted to focus on being transparent…humble before God and people. A fatal flaw in teenagers is the kneejerk reaction to cover up their flaws and failures, and in the church it is killing our teenagers. We have so many teenagers in our midst that randomly backslide- totally forsaking all that God has done for them. It seems to come out of nowhere, but in reality the forsaking always begins at the covering of their flaws and screw ups.
Many of you know i strongly believe that the church should be a place for the UNsaved to come, be accepted, be loved, and meet people who are wholly unafraid to be themselves. This is why humility is absolutely essential to us as Christians.
Humility makes us real.
Humility shows our flaws.
Humility shows our shortcomings.
Humility shows our humanity.

People are desperately searching for someone to relate to- and yes Jesus is the answer to desperation….but you may be the first Jesus that they meet.
People are changed by the anointing and presence of the Almighty God. Christians are supposed to be conduits and containers of the anointing and the presence…This is why i believe humility is so important- because the one thing that will singlehandedly withhold His anointing on your life- is pride.
why?

God desires to be glorified. It is He and He alone who deserves all honor, praise, and focus. Pride is mans feeble attempt to attract the attention to him(her)self. Pride desires to show our own importance- while taking eyes off of Christ.

“God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves.” – DL Moody

I was looking up what my name means today, and I saw in the Hebrew it meant “To descend, pour out, to humble oneself”. The Jordan river is the point of one of Jesus’ most humbling experience- letting a (flawed, sin born, screw up) human baptize Him. It was His CHOICE to humble himself.
I want to live up to my name. I want to practice Humility. Practice being real- with God and people. So that If someone meets me- just maybe they will actually be able to glimpse Christ.