Desperation humbles us. Have you ever experienced the kind of desperation that made you look to God amid struggles? If so, what did the Lord teach you through this?
There is something about coming to the end of ourselves which forces us to look to God. I am always amazed as the Lord is so patient with us. He knows it would be easier if we would have humbled ourselves long before we became so desperate. In our story, a leper comes to Jesus for healing. A leper would have had a tough life, including being an outcast from society.
A Desperate Leper Humbles Himself
In his desperation, the leper sought out Jesus. The text does not tell us how he came to know about Jesus, but he did. His desperation propelled him to go to Jesus and humble himself. Often our desperation does the same thing. Mark 1:40 A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. 41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” 42 Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed.[1]
Good Things Happen When We Humble Ourselves
Humbling ourselves can be one of the most challenging things we do in our life. Our sinful nature often keeps us from doing what we know we need to do. I tend to try to do things on my own without God. Then I find out the hard way that it doesn’t work.
When we finally come to the Lord, He is waiting for us with open arms of love. God does not ask what took us so long. Instead, in His mercy, He puts His loving arms around us. We don’t think like God, so we don’t understand the Lord’s love for us. When we come to the Lord in humility, He begins to teach and mold us in a way only He could. His hands are gentle like a mother with a newborn baby. Then we question why we took so long.
Humility Refines Us
God uses humility to take off our rough edges. Just as a tumbler smooths a rough rock, God does the same for us. The tumbler changes the stone into something smooth and beautiful. Humility does the same for us.
Colossians 3:12, “ Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”[2] Is the Lord calling you today to clothe yourself with humility? Don’t let pride stop you from humbling yourself; seek out the Lord of Love, patience, and kindness.
To hear how desperation humbles us, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/mark-preaching-and-healing
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Mk 1:40–42). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Col 3:12). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.