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Written by Naijuvelin Díaz Leal, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Venezuela
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Php 2:5-11 ESV)
How many times have we heard or read about humility—that character that, although difficult, is not impossible to reach? The apostle Paul invites the Philippians to develop this character by taking Christ as their model. He presents this virtue to us as a reason for obedience and the consequence of exaltation. Humility, then, is an act of obedience. On another occasion, Peter would cry out, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God" (1 Pe 5:6a). We see how important it is and the effect that this condition always has on the Christian in any circumstance. Jesus Christ, being the Son of God, did not cling to that status, but lowered Himself, showing His meekness by bearing every scourge, confrontation, disappointment, emotional pressure, and betrayal.
Jesus showed the virtue of humility, full of grace and integrity; He was a model for the disciples and an example for all humanity. He willingly gave up His exalted position as the Son of God to bow down. He made manifest every good work that came from the Father. As His son, He bore suffering to teach us obedience and show us that in all obedience, there is a blessing. Christ is then presented to us as the model of humility in the following ways, while still not relinquishing His status as the Son of God:
- At His coming to earth (2Co 8:9).
- In His humility (Mt 11:29)
- In His submission to God's will (Jn 6:38)
- In His sufferings (Isa 53:1-9)
- At His triumphal entry (Mt 21:5,7)
Every perfect gift comes from above. Developing humility is a blessing, and executing it yields great benefits. When we are humble, we can attain salvation from God (Ps 18:27; 1 Co 1:26,29) and receive His grace (Pr 3:34). God honors the humble (Pr 15:33) and lifts them up (Job 5:11; Mt 23:12; Lk 1:52).
But what is humility? How do I recognize it? Is it a state of mind? A condition? Or a state of material poverty? Humility is acknowledging and exalting God's will over our own in our lives, gifts, virtues, and strength (Jn 5:19). When we constantly seek God and fully trust and accept His plans, that makes us humble and meek before Him. It is an attitude of the heart which goes beyond the external. To submit every thought or desire to Christ—to bring our cares and anxieties captive to Him—is to acknowledge His supremacy by recognizing His power and sovereignty.
Facing situations in which I must bend my will is a great challenge. It is a continuous challenge to know how to accept what God has determined. "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will" (Mt 26:39b) is an example Jesus set, reminding me to be humble in many moments of my life, and strengthening me in all areas.
Amid struggles, the apostle Paul continued His service in humility despite the sorrows that beset Him because of the Jews (Ac 20:19). He bore the marks of Christ on his body and bore them with patience and meekness. He exhorts us, too, to put on that garment that identifies us as God's chosen ones (Col 3:12).
Taking up this appeal allows us to live more committed to Christ, worthy of the vocation to which we were called, and the God of peace will guard our hearts in Christ Jesus.
Are you willing to develop this great virtue or spiritual strength?
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Written by Michelle J. Goff, Founder and Executive Director of Iron Rose Sister Ministries
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1Pe 2:21 NIV)
I love to watch children leap across the sand, striving with their little legs to reach their father’s stride and land in his footprints. The poem “Footprints” illustrates how Christ walks with us, and even carries us, along the paths of our lives.
When I reflect on what following in Christ’s steps has meant in my own life, it has consisted of a mixture of small steps in the day-to-day decisions and seemingly foolish, giant leaps of faith.
The launch of Iron Rose Sister Ministries would easily be considered one of many giant leaps of faith. Once God had made clear the vision of the ministry (equipping women to connect to God and one another more deeply), I was left with only one response, “Here am I, send me” (Is 6:8). I quit my job, sold my house, and jumped.
One of my sisters and her husband provided room in the basement of their house from which to live and work. Our now Board President, Katie Forbess, contacted me as soon as I announced my decision to let me know that she was “all in!”—even if only as a “glorified cheerleader.” Between my own savings and a small loan from a precious sister in Christ, we got started.
For nine months, every single day, every step of the way, Katie and I talked, prayed, and wrestled over what it meant to follow Christ’s steps—personally and as a brand-new nonprofit. The fact that God provides Iron Rose Sisters to walk with us on our journey as iron sharpening iron is a tremendous blessing. The fact that Christ walks with us as we strive to follow in His steps is one of the most beautiful promises of the Christian life. At that time, Katie and I were both grieving different traumatic events in our lives, but our steps to follow in Christ’s steps and our walk with one another along that journey provided a path forward.
What God has grown from an idea planted in my mind and heart to the international Iron Rose Sister Ministries you know today gives evidence of how God honors our commitment to follow in His steps.
The steps, the decisions, and the ongoing commitment have not always been easy. In the same way that God the Father was faithful to walk with His Son, guiding Him to always choose the Father’s will, God has faithfully walked with me as I have imperfectly followed. He offers the same to you.
What I have learned from following Christ’s steps is that it is a daily decision that requires faith—even faith as small as a mustard seed. God’s blessings and the equipping happening through Iron Rose Sister Ministries is a large-scale example of following in His steps. Most of the times that we commit to follow in Christ’s steps are small-scale decisions for which we may never know the impact.
Today, I chose to pause and pray—to lift something up to the Father, asking that His will be done and not my own. For this blog post, I chose to pause and pray. I asked God to use His Spirit to communicate instead of my own words.
Thankfully, God does not keep a tally of how many times we have misstepped or deviated from the Way. Rather, He provides us the opportunity to get back on track. He promises, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1Jn 1:9).
Yes, today, I paused and prayed. But also today, I got impatient and irritated. I doubted God’s provision because I didn’t know when or how it would come. And so, to return to following in Christ’s steps, I confess, “Lord, I need You, oh I need You. Every hour I need You.” And I rejoice in the confidence I can have in His forgiveness.
Now, to see how we can commit to following His steps tomorrow…