Something about Humility

This tour I noticed myself running into the same problem over and over again. Someone would tell me something or ask me to do something and then when I would respond later to the instruction the person would inform me that they never said that. This would drive me crazy because I have a very detailed memory & most of the time I remember what is said word for word exactly how it was originally stated. So I would not only remember what they said but also how they said it and exactly what else was going on at that second. Then there were always other people around who would remember the instructions to be as I had recited.  What I found in these times is it would have been so much nicer to have not had witnesses because now there is only a group of people proving I am right when I am, out of respect to the person with the opposite view, I shouldn’t try to prove my point. However, these "witnesses" seem to always want to press the matter and therefore fan my own flame that wants the person to realize that they made a mistake in the instructions. I would need to turn to them and support the other person while they argue with me telling me what I know to be true. 

This situation showed up everywhere: my team, with hosts, pastors, and even random people I met.  Apparently there was something God wanted to teach me. I also knew that if I wanted to make it through life without ripping my hair out; I would need to figure out how to approach these situations.

First I had to identify what the flame was that would burn for the other person to realize what was said. It was PRIDE! Proverbs 13:10 says that “pride only breeds quarrels.” This is exactly what was going on! I felt the "need" to prove my point, to not rest until we all agreed that I was correct. Upon finding verses about pride and it became clear to me that every thing the scriptures said pride would do was happening in my life. Another thing I noticed was that humility was always listed as the opposite or the solution to pride. Just as this was brought to my attention I was discussing the problem with an advisor of mine to see what wise feedback I could get on the matter they asked me a series of questions that I have found extremely helpful whenever I faced this issue: Is it really that important? Why do I want them to know what I view as true? Is it harming anyone? Usually after asking myself these questions I realize that making my point is, well… pointless. My advisor encouraged me to be easy going & take as much useless blame upon myself as I can if it will bring peace. I don't have to be right and the situation could be quickly diffused if I would just admit that I might be wrong.

Now doing this IS NOT easy for me because I am NOT wired to be passive in anyway I mean come on I'm a Sanguine Choleric I mean HELLO! However when it comes down to it do I want to waste my breath and ruin relationships because of my need to be right or do I want to honor God? DUH!! God is very clear on his opinion about pride and humility. He despises the proud, he hates it (Proverbs 8:13) but he honors and blesses the humble. So in light of this I found it obvious that it is well worth it to crucify my flesh in order to be pleasing in the sight of the Lord. 

I have just completed my first tour of my second year & I can't help but proclaim that there are very few times during my life where I have known with this much certainty that I am right where God wants me. The lessons I am learning here at NLDC are more numerous than I could even know and the experiences are most defiantly a once in a life time deal! I am in awe and wonder as I get to watch God work. I want to say thank you to all of you who are supporting me in prayer and financially because I know that with out your obedience to God this wouldn't be possible. I'll ask you to all join me in prayer as the next mission trip is being planned. To be able to go, I will need at least $1000 more as well as needing to be covered in prayer.  If you feel lead to contribute financially, please use the PayPal link at the bottom of the page and if not, prayer is always appreciated!

In Love with Jesus,
Jessica