Checklist for a climb

Desiring to Abide in God's Elevated Presence? It’s a hike, but worth it!

Is. 57:15 I dwell in a high place with him who is lowly…

Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. 

Check you gear! He only exalts the humble.

1. Humility: What to bring or not to bring on your hike.

Humility is not weakness. It requires courage, honesty, kindness, and confidence.

Humility is non-judgmental. It does not judge another person because they sin differently than ourselves.

Humility is where love thrives and makes others feel safe and confident.

“Humility is like underwear; essential, but indecent if it shows.”— Helene Nielson 

2. The Inner Test of Humility: Involves teamwork. Your relationship with others.

We all want others to succeed, until their success overshadows our own. Until they do better than us.

Humility rejoices with those who are rejoicing, even if their rejoicing is due to an accomplishment greater than what we have achieved. Until they are applauded while we remain seated.

• Can I sit while they are asked to stand?
• Can I celebrate without comparison?
• Can I rejoice without resentment?

Their abundance doesn’t mean my lack. Their elevation does not diminish my worth.

3. Humility and Dependence on God: Self-sufficiency spells danger. Insufficiency is not a deal breaker.

Do not worry or be concerned about your insufficiency to accomplish God’s will and desires.

A man with great talent and resources does not think he needs God. He becomes puffed up and independent.

Self-sufficiency can quietly replace surrender. But humility keeps us dependent. It reminds us that our adequacy comes from Him, not from our abilities. (Whew! And I give a sigh relief.)

4. What Humility Looks Like in Practice: Train before you climb.

Criticism does not devastate you. It becomes an opportunity to cultivate grace and evaluate whether there is something you want to change. You harness it for your own growth and well-being. 

Pride lies hidden until it is provoked, and like a coiled rattlesnake, it strikes. Learn to breathe through criticism. It’s essential at higher altitudes.
Breathing denies pride the reflex to attack.

The humble hiker would rather be righteous than right.