Walk Humbly

Psalm 139:14
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

One of the hardest parts of this journey for Tammy is not being able to attend church. She is immune-suppressed (even though her blood counts are improving). That makes her more susceptible to picking up germs. Church is full of people with lots of kids. Kids are germ factories. And Tammy is loved so much by our church family that she would be mobbed if she came through the door. All those hugs, though very welcomed, could be carrying unknown germs. It's just too risky right now. We're anxiously awaiting the day when she can return. She definitely misses the interaction with friends, plus worshiping God with fellow believers.

Today we started a new series in church called "What If?" It's built on Micah 6:8 ("He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."). It's part of a city-wide cooperation of churches that have sought to put aside individual and collective egos to work together to make an impact in our community.

Last year, three churches worked together at four different inner-city ministries and grew closer together. We saw many more similarities than differences and gained a better realization that we are one church as long as we serve the living God. This year, 12 churches will be part of the effort.

As we lead up to Serve Day May 30, the 12 churches have broken into three-church clusters. Each of the clusters will share their pulpits with pastors of the other churches in their cluster. Today we had our first guest pastor, and he spoke on one of the three themes: "What if the church...walked humbly." (The other two are "...loved mercy" and "...acted justly.")

It's easy to confuse humility with self-deprecation or false humility. Humility is not saying, "I'm no good; I have no value" any more than it is saying, "I'm better than..." Ken defined humility as "having an accurate assessment of who we are." When we compare ourselves to God and His perfection, it's easy to take the first approach. We're not good compared to God. We may not be ax murderers or any other villainous personality, but one sin makes us incapable of having a relationship with God, on our own.

The good news is that God came up with a plan. He sent His son to pay the price for our sins. We see the truth of how God looks at us in the cross of Christ. If we accept Him, He looks at us as forgiven and as one of His children.

It's great comfort to know that, in spite of our faults, God views us as one of His own. He created us and He wants to be with us.

If you want to be a part of "What If?" go to www.whatifthechurch.net. Even if you are not part of one of the 12 churches you are welcomed to participate. There's a place for you to serve.