This Sunday I am teaching on the topic of humility as we teach through the book of John.  Honestly, I am not the best person to be teaching about humility since I have not come close to attaining it.  But I really have felt burdened for this message since I returned from Italy.  I have really been convicted of my sins of comparison in the last week.   Being away for 12 days on vacation was so refreshing.  I completely unplugged from my life here.  No email, phone calls or computer.  Just my iphone that I used to blog our trip. When we got back I felt really rejuventated.

On Monday morning as I was getting ready for our staff meeting, I began to feel the weight of life begin to creep upon my bones.  I was surprised to feel how heavy the stress felt that I had been under before I left for vacation.  The stress was pressure to perform as a pastor, pressure to succeed, and the pressure of leadership.  I was worrying about things I had no control of but hoping that through my worry that I would be able to overcome my obstacles.  In that moment I felt God convicting me of not trusting him.

I immediately began to pray and ask God for forgiveness.  I needed forgiveness for trying so hard to carry all the burdens on my own.  I vowed to turn that stuff over to him and just work hard at doing what he has called me to.  I need to just focus on being myself and staying humble.  Humility frees us from the pressure of having to prop ourselves up by our accolades.  

Jesus modeled humility throughout his life.  Most of us are aware that Jesus set the gold standard for what it is to live a life that was humble and selfless.  But as I have been digging in the scriptures I am amazed at how truly humble Jesus really is.  I am struggling as a flawed vessel to live a life that resembles that of my savior.  

Please pray for me as I share this message on Sunday.  I know that so many of us are trying so hard to succeed and to find validation.  My prayer is that our people can find freedom from the tyranny of comparison and the weight of pride this Sunday.