Why is humility so little practiced by Christians? Why do people think that to be a successful Christian one must be a charismatic leader that everyone loves and wants to follow? Perhaps the verse that all Christians (not only pastors and leaders) should recite when they wake up and when they go to bed and hourly in-between is: “Seek first his (God’s) kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) If our focus would only remain on Jesus, our desire for recognition and praise by other people would fade into the background. Just as Peter started to sink into the waves when he took his eyes off Jesus (Matthew 14:22-32), we also sink when we take our eyes off of Him.
This study is dedicated to the contemplation of humility as an essential area of spiritual growth in the life of a believer. Although there are not many Christians who dream of and pray for humility, I believe it can help anyone whose chief desire is to become more like Christ. As Andrew Murray explains:
“When I look back upon my own religious experience, or round upon the church of Christ in the world, I stand amazed at the thought of how little humility is sought after as the distinguishing feature of the discipleship of Jesus. In preaching and living, in the daily intercourse of the home and social life, in the more special fellowship with Christians, in the direction and performance of work for Christ—alas! how much proof there is that humility is not esteemed the cardinal virtue, the only root from which the graces can grow, the one indispensable condition of true fellowship with Jesus.”