Humble Boldness.

For much of my life I have desired to describe myself with two phrases: humble boldness and confident humility.  I can not say that my life is described by either one of these phrases, but I desire them.  I so desire to balance humility and boldness in my walk with Christ.

To be honest, humility comes much more naturally to me.  Although, I admit, that sounds pretty arrogant.  By nature I am an introvert.  I like to be alone, to have space, to have quite, to read.  I don't always like to be the center of attention.  Maybe meekness or even self deprecation describe me better than humility.  But I want less of me and more of Christ.  I am a sinner. I sin daily in thought, word, and deed.  Lord, humble me!

My favorite passage for many years has been 1 Peter 5:6-11

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

This passage for so much of my life has described my longing for humility, freedom from anxiety, and desire to resist Satan's temptations.

I struggle with boldness.  In my head and heart I am loud, arrogant, extreme even.  But my mouth and tongue are sometimes slow to catch fire.  I so want to be bold like Peter, John, and Stephen in the book of Acts.  On Sunday I am preaching the martyrdom of Stephen.  His boldness is encouraging and humbling.  Lord, make me bold with my family, my church, my neighbors.  

Valley of Vision: Confidence

O GOD, THOU ART VERY GREAT,

My lot is to approach thee with godly fear
        and humble confidence,
  for thy condescension equals thy grandeur,
  and thy goodness is thy glory.
I am unworthy, but thou dost welcome;
  guilty, but thou art merciful;
  indigent, but thy riches are unsearchable.
Thou hast shown boundless compassion towards me
  by not sparing thy Son,
  and by giving me freely all things in him;
This is the foundation of my hope,
  the refuge of my safety,
  the new and living way to thee,
  the means of that conviction of sin,
    brokenness of heart, and self-despair,
    which will endear to me the gospel.
Happy are they who are Christ’s,
  in him at peace with thee,
    justified from all things,
    delivered from coming wrath,
    made heirs of future glory;
Give me such deadness to the world,
  such love to the Saviour,
  such attachment to his house,
  such devotedness to his service,
    as proves me a subject of his salvation.
May every part of my character and conduct
  make a serious and amiable impression on others,
  and impel them to ask the way to the Master.
Let no incident of life, pleasing or painful,
  injure the prosperity of my soul,
  but rather increase it.
Send me thy help,
  for thine appointments are not meant
    to make me independent of thee,
  and the best means will be vain
    without super-added blessings.