Humility....

A humble and contrite spirit. I am not sure I have fully understood that phrase directly for it is something I have always heard, but perhaps did not think about fully, yet in reflection I think about the people I love to be around most, and they are those with a sweet, appreciative and humble spirit.

I remember reflecting on my return from India how different the poor were there, than they are here in America. In India they were very humble and appreciative for everything, with an intrinsic understanding that it was not of themselves, but of a higher power. They knew they needed help beyond themselves and they were always searching and sometimes in the wrong places as well. In America it would seem we have lost our dependence on God. We have so many things to turn to here and it seems it is rarely God.

I think back to when I was a child and we went to church where people kneeled and prayed at the altar, but I didn't really think about why. I thought it was just more tradition than anything. In some religions they still do, but not so much in the Protestant church. In the bible it also says the Jews prayed three times a day, and we know the Muslims pray five times a day, in prostrated positions.

So what about me, what about you? When is the last time I kneeled and prayed, in public or private with complete understanding of why. How often do I pray? Where is my hope?

The bible puts it like this. "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land".

The bible has much to say about humility, but I must confess, it is so obvious and familiar, I missed it with understanding, as the key to God's heart.

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6UAGhJHmOw