I am pleased to announce Humility: True Greatness (author: C.J. Mahaney) as our April Book of the Month. I read and reviewed this book a few months ago and I’m returning to it again because I need it. Humility will be the primary theme for my writing this month. My posts will most likely be short and devotional in tone and I hope they will be a blessing to you.
What is Humility?
Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness. That’s the twin reality that all genuine humility is rooted in: God’s holiness and our sinfulness (22).
Do you have it?
Let’s ask ourselves: When it comes to the values we live by, what will others say about us one day? Will they testify that humility characterized our lives (24)?
I don’t know about you, but humility does not always characterize my life. Particularly during periods of high stress (in which I currently find myself), my heart overflows with sin and my flesh thinks that I can simply work harder to get over the humps but those efforts often drive me into a deeper pit. God compels me and you to draw closer to him and rest there. In his presence we can humble ourselves and trust him to lift us up. That was his Word to me this morning:
Humble yourself, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil plows around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast (I Pet. 5:6-10 [NIV]).
It is my pride that makes me impatient, anxious, and “out of control.” But God calls me to humble myself before him, trust Him, be patient, self-controlled and alert. He also tells me to resist the enemy and stand firm in my faith.
In the midst of this struggle, God also promises to give grace to the humble. He promises that he will lift me up in due time, that he will restore me and make me strong, firm, and steadfast.
Can you trust God in this? Are you aware of your need for God’s grace to give your efforts lasting value (24)?
© Natasha Sistrunk Robinson 2013
A SISTA'S JOURNEY 
It’s official…God is saying something about humility. The ways and means in which He’s doiing it are…astounding.
Question–when you select a book, is it a book club? Or does it just mean you will be focusing on themes in the book for the selected month?
Hi Chandra, whenever I present a book for discussion, it is always my vision and hope that people would actually get their hands on the books that are of interest to them, read along with me and we can have an “online” book club. I present book topics on Tuesdays. If people decide to do a local book club and then share their thoughts here, that would be great also. I normally announce the books a week in advance (but I was traveling last week and did not get to do so-my apologies). Sometimes I present overall themes from the book and sometimes I go chapter-by-chapter. It all depends on the content. All of this to say: I would love to have you and others reading along and joining in the discussion. Blessings, Natasha
Excellent, thanks. I could have the book by early next week, so I will read along with you and would love to discuss thoughts with you and others who might choose to participate. Looking forward to it!