He Will Pick You Up

1 Peter 5:6 NIV

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."

What is humility?  We hear it in Christian circles all the time.  We read it in Scripture all the time.  We are supposed to live it all the time.  But what is it truly?  I heard one preacher describe it as putting God first, taking care of others next, and taking time out for yourself.  I like that and use it often.

Looking up the word used in our verse, it is described as putting oneself beneath those who are honored.  That would definitely be true in describing how our relationship with God should look.  What about people, others?

The Bible tells us to honor our father and mother - even deadbeat and abusive ones.  How, you ask?  By living a life worthy of who God made you to be.  By living above their standards.  Is that humble?   Yes, because it puts God first and teaches us to love others. 

Well that is what the Bible says about parents but what about friends, neighbors, enemies,  bosses, employees....the world is full of people - some good, some bad, and some evil.  Are we to be humble with them?

Truth is, we do not have problems with others unless they violate our trust or unless we are putting ourselves before them.  Humility has an order that teaches us how to care and how to love:  God first, others next, and then ourselves.  Get it out of order and we suffer.  It is also reciprocal - when others get it out of order, we can suffer.  I think this is why Christians have a hard time in the world - many in the world do not put God first or anywhere.  It conflicts with how we are trying to live.  It conflicts with how we are taught to care and to love.

We cannot truly love others until we, through Christ, escape our past or take control of our present.  Whether we suffer from abusive parents, spouses, bullies, or suffer from violations of trust or pain or sickness or whatever life has thrown at us, we can find peace through Christ by being humble.

God will pick us up when we live to become humble.  Yes, God picks us up.  He stoops down and dresses our wounds.  He prepares a shelter for us.  He pays the way for us. He picks is up and walks with us.  The greatest moments I have taken for myself have been on walks with God.  He restores my strength.  He pours life and joy back into my soul.  He will do it for you also.

Stay humble.  Honor God and others.  Take time for a refreshing walk with God. He will pick you up in due time.