Learning To Become A Disciple

There’s an old novelty song written by Mac Davis in the early 1980s with the title, “It’s Hard to Be Humble.”  The chorus goes like this:

Oh Lord it's hard to be humble 

When you're perfect in every wayI can't wait to look in the mirror

Cause I get better looking each day

Davis explains that although the song was intended to be humorous, it was berthed out of a real experience of headlining a concert and being treated like a star, with all of the amenities that go along with such an event.  But he knew better – Mac Davis had spent years as a songwriter, having his songs recorded by the likes of Nancy Sinatra and Elvis Presley.  Even as he was becoming famous in his own right, he knew that there was always more to learn.

When it comes to the Christian life, being a disciple of Christ, there is always more to learn, and there is always room for spiritual growth in your life.  None of us “have it all figured out” but we learn from one another and from those who have gone down the path before us, and left breadcrumbs along the way for us to find.  But to see these breadcrumbs, and to be teachable by the Holy Spirit, requires humility – and that is indeed hard at times.  

If I asked the question, “Do you have it all figured out?” of course you would answer, “no.”  But as you examine yourself, are you straining forward?  Paul says in Philippians 3:12-15,

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.  Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

In essence, Paul is saying, “I haven’t arrived.  I’m not there yet.  I still have a lot to learn.”  This is the sign of a maturing Christian – humbly admitting that there is more to learn, and more to do.  Are you humble?  Are you teachable?  The older we get the more difficult it is to be humble and teachable.  But all things are possible through the strength of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.  Spend time in prayer asking God to show you areas of your understanding and of your life which still need work, and allow Him to refine you in these ways.  Humility is one of the great qualities of God’s people.

Blessings, 

Pastor Bruce

bruce.cullom@gmail.com