Put Your Hat in Your Hand
My grandfather, Andrew Jackson Briggs, was very fond of three things; his grandchildren, his railroad pocket watch, and his hat. As funny as it may seem, there were times when the lines between the three were a little blurred.
Papaw's life with his hat displayed multiple lessons of human posture to me. His hat was his trademark. Just as sure as his belly was pudgy, his khakis creased, and his head bald, his hat was with him at all times. He would tip his hat to ladies. He held his hat in his hand at the bank or church.
Generally speaking, his hat in his hand spoke to me of his humility. I want to challenge you to "put your hat in your hand." This symbolic action will help you learn the path, posture, and promise of humility and apply it to every area of your life.
1 Peter 5:6 says,
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you."
Humility is frequently associated with being too passive, submissive, or insecure, but this couldn't be any further from the truth. Instead, humble people are quite the opposite—confident and competent in themselves so much that, as a result, they seek to self-actualize by helping others.
Humility displays a willingness to learn and become better. Humble people let their actions speak for their ideals.
Moses and Jesus are the perfect examples of humility.
Numbers 12:3 tells us that Moses was "…more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth". And we see in Matthew 11:29-30 that Jesus is "…gentle and humble in heart…". By the way, both of them made this statement about themselves, which gives a slight hint as to what humility is not. It’s not a pretentious mask. True humility would never deny a genuine strength.
What is humility?
A modest or low view of one's importance
Humility is grounded in the character of God
Humility is necessary to enter God's kingdom
Humility is the foremost test of a genuinely great person or leader
Humility is the prerequisite for honor
Humility is power under restraint
Humility has a path.
Moses and Jesus were born when male children were being killed, not necessarily when leaders were being built. They both chose to follow the will of God, even though it meant they would experience suffering in their lives. They displayed great humility when they spent time in the desert and wilderness to follow the plan of God.
Humility has a posture.
Many times in life, people miss a blessing because they can't look past the source from where the benefit comes! Humility postures us to put ego aside and receive from the Lord however he chooses to give or speak to us. We see examples of the posture of Moses when he humbly encounters the Lord: shoes off, staff down, willingness to listen to a bush speak in order to hear from the Lord.
Humility has a promise.
While the cross was the posture that Jesus had to endure, the resurrection was the promise! When we "die" right by humbling ourselves, we experience the world's greatest cover-up: the grave! Then stones move, and we live!
Humility allows things to be dealt with from the inside out at a heart level. It will enable us to take care of a problem before it becomes symptomatic. In essence, humility prevents humiliation.
As humans, humility keeps our feet on the ground.
In John chapter 6, Jesus miraculously feeds five thousand and then gives instructions to go to the other side of the lake where the disciples run headlong into a storm. So, why not let them stay where the miracle just happened? They couldn't handle it! How high do you think they were after the happy meal miracle? The storm brought them back to reality!
Humility lives in the tension between a miracle and misery. You'll find it between the five thousand fed on a hillside and twelve afraid in a boat.
Humility lives between law and mercy; Between grace and truth; Between the lion and the lamb; Between worship and praise; Between your wit's end and your new beginning.
True humility is finding your confidence in God rather than in yourself.
Simon Peter knew first-hand pride and humility. In his first epistle, chapter 5:6-11, he connects the dots between humility and God with three truths; Cast your anxieties on Him; Be sober-minded; Resist the devil by being firm in your faith. Simon says when you do this, "Christ Himself will restore confirm and establish you." Did you get that? Christ will do the work. It doesn't get any better than that!
Humble people don't think less of themselves but think of themselves less. Instead of being the center of attention, they focus on what is central. Jesus!
To do this, we must:
be keenly aware of the path of humility - "seek first the Kingdom…."
constantly be posturing ourselves – I don't know it all, but I know the one who does!
know that when we "die" right, humble ourselves, there is a promise of a resurrection that will take care of itself.
Therefore, we must surrender. This word sums it up.