“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬ ‭CSB‬‬

I’m realizing that humility and love go hand in hand. God’s command for me to love Him and love my neighbor is also a command for me to be humble. Pride is a barrier to Christianity. I can’t be a follower of Jesus and think more highly of myself than any of His other children. This has nothing to do with self-esteem though. God wants me to value myself and realize my potential as His beloved child. However, this value has nothing to do with any effort on my part. My value comes entirely as a gift from God specifically given to me for a purpose He lovingly bestowed on me. Part of that purpose is to love. If I feel I’m too important to care for someone else, I’m failing at my purpose. If I am too concerned about my own comfort to be generous to someone else, I’m failing. If I judge anyone else, I am failing at my purpose. If I think I deserve everything I have because of my hard work, I am failing at my purpose. Whenever I lack humility, I cannot love. In God’s kingdom, there are no tiers of worth in humans. We have all failed and fallen short of God’s standard. I have no right to have more or be treated better or live in a fancier house. Everything I have and am is a beautiful gift from a loving God. He could take it all away at any time for reasons He doesn’t need to share with me. Until then, I am to use it to accomplish His will.

Dear God,

I am so grateful to be your child, to have been forgiven, to have been raised in a family and community that taught me about you and your love. You have heaped blessings on my head that I often take for granted. Thank you for the reminder that I didn’t earn where I was born or the opportunities that came my way. There is nothing special about me that I deserve a better life than anyone else. Show me how to use the resources you’ve allowed me to have to love your children and fulfill the purpose you have for me.