NOVEMBER 2009 -- As we look forward to this season of giving thanks for all our many blessings let us fill our lives with humility. Humility is one of the most puzzling parts of our spiritual journey. Most of the founders of the values we hold close lived humble lives and invited us to experience the power and wonder of this life. Today we are in awe of those with the courage to live their lives this way and few of us attempt to follow their example. Humility, we think is weak. Humility is a mystery for most of us. God has great humility toward man. I had never thought of God as being humble, but if we are made in God's image and are called to humility, it makes sense that God would be the author of humility. However the idea of God being humble toward us revealed once again the mystery of the spiritual journey. The truth is that God is humble toward us, for we are allowed to live our lives according to our values and desires. Free will is a great gift from Spirit, and it is an example of the humble God. Most people think our Creator as an awesome, mysterious power that is a part both of exploding stars and of the bird that carries a twig to its next, and yet we can live our lives as we see fit. Only a humble God would give us such power and dominion. You might think that God's humility is at the root of the problems of the world. How often have we asked, "Why doesn't God do something about war, famine, floods and our inhumanity toward one another? The answer is that God is humble toward us. We can think our own thoughts, make our own decisions, and act with compassion or blatant, misguided self-interest. Instead of trying to shape my life, I place my life in God's hands by seeking to become aware of the Presence. This consciousness then manifests itself in ways I could never predict. I let it happen and the meeting place between God's humility toward me and my humility toward God is my life. Spirit allows me to establish my intent. God is humble toward me. The next step is mine. I can seek God, a consciousness of the Presence, or I can seek meaning in the world. If I seek meaning in the world, I am permitted to fully experience my choice. However, I can seek the kingdom and enter into the mystery of life and allow an awareness of Spirit to establish itself, not only as an experience but as my life. This is my humility toward God and when it is joined with God's humility, I am humbled once more by the wonder of what life can be. My best wishes to you and your families for a blessed celebration of our gratitude for all our blessings. |