As children of God, we all have an endless list of heart and soul maintenance to be done. It’s so beautiful how God reveals different things to us in different seasons, in HIS perfect timing. As I exit my 20’s and enter into a new decade of life, I’ve been examining my heart and praying that the Lord will magnify the areas that need improvement. Among all the areas of my heart that need work, I keep getting one bold reminder, “LESS OF ME”. These words have been on repeat in my head throughout the day.
When I think “less of me”, I naturally follow it up with “more of you, Lord.” But what does that actually mean? We hear it all the time in worship songs, sermons and testimonies, but just saying the words or singing them aloud on Sunday won’t actively change our day to day actions. What does scripture tell us, and how can we implement this life changing posture into our everyday lives?
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4
A great word to describe “less of me”, would be humility, and humility boils down to freedom from our pride and arrogance. The conceit, egotism and vanity associated with our pride will consume our appearance and make us look less and less like Jesus. When we possess the qualities that oppose humility, such as pride, we become isolated and unable to love others above ourselves.
We have to choose humility daily. It’s so easy to become focused on our own achievements, image and status, when we’re constantly being force-fed worldly self-improvement schemes. Every commercial, billboard and marketing strategy is directed towards YOU. How to be healthier, wealthier, happier, more desirable…etc. Here’s the thing— none of this bad, but none of it will fill the void in our hearts like the love of Jesus will.
Choosing humility daily requires intentional action. Limit the amount of time invested in a screen, and increase the amount of time diving into scripture and learning more about who you are in GOD’s eyes. Don’t just read and move on. Truly listen. When giving, give sacrificially. When speaking, lift others up. Continue this posture in every day to day activity.
With the Holy Spirit as our accountability partner, may we keep our eyes on the path that God has set before us. May we live and love like Jesus!
“He must become greater, I must become less.” John 3:30
So beautifully said! I’ve been learning this the hard way, specifically even within these past few days. I’ve always believed that I was pretty good at the humility thing. I hate being the center of attention, and enjoy looking for ways to lift others up, but I got to the point that I knocked myself down in the process. I’d rather sit and listen to people share their own struggles and battles than for me to spew all of mine. I eventually realized that I’ve become too prideful in my humility. I want people to have the idea that really I am okay, so that they don’t waste their time and energy on me so I can care for them. But I’m starting to learn that true community is allowing people to talk about their problems AND giving them the opportunity to listen to me and care for me. That’s when the body of Christ truly shows up, when everyone rids themselves of pride, no matter how it shows up for them, and we all contribute to grow together. I still have lots to learn and practice, but when it comes down to it, a true & humble leader is one that admits they have problems too and isn’t afraid to let others see them in a real and genuine light.
Thank you so much for sharing this, Brittany! God is so cool in His mind-blowing timing.