HUMILITY AND FREEDOM

Oscar Wilde once said that when the gods wanted to punish us, they fulfilled our wishes.

That’s another way of saying that our own ego, our own desire, when left unchecked is destructive. It often stands in the way of God’s purpose for us.

So the religious path is one of surrender; of letting go of our attachments, our fears, our comforts, and trusting our life to God. ‘Not my will, but Thy will,’ says the Psalmist.

And this is echoed by Paul when he pleads, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” And this is something quite profound. Paul has crossed that inner threshold having died to his selfishness, and has become alive in a more profound way. His entire being and reason for existence has become one with the Creator.

This sounds like a luxury, perhaps something for those who have the time for ‘self-actualization.’ Today we may think of those who have the time, money and desire to attend a personal growth seminar or yoga retreat. But certainly NOT US—we have kids and bills to pay…

But think again. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus not only commissions the 12 disciples, but here he sends out 72 others to go out and herald the Kingdom of God. Jesus did not come down to do it all himself. He certainly did the heavy lifting, but he calls human beings like us to join him in the great work of redemption. That includes all of us. And this is the amazing thing; that God would place such trust in humanity, cooperating with us in something so important.

And when the 72 returned to Jesus, they were in awe of how even the evil spirits were under their authority. Jesus however rebuked them saying; “Do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

It’s a reality check for them. Jesus is saying, Yes, you are doing God’s work… but don’t let it get to your head. And that’s the truth. It’s a wonderful thing to be on the side of truth and life, but it is too heavy a load and we can easily stumble. The human mind can only stand so much reality.

So that is why we are called to humility. Humility keeps us turning it over to God. It keeps our spirit at once free yet grounded, and ready to respond in service and in love.

It has been said that the door of life is a door of mystery; it becomes slightly shorter than the one who wishes to enter it. And thus only one who bows in humility can cross its threshold.