Rise Up A Warrior, Part 4: Humility & Meekness

"Humility comes before honor."
-Proverbs 18:12

My dear warriors,
 
Recently I met someone who has shown himself to be the embodiment of a warrior. I have been astonished by his humility, meekness and strength of character as I have gotten to know him. If you read the collect of the day yesterday, the reading was out of Luke 14. There we find the Parable of the Wedding Feast. In order to effectively rise up a warrior, you must have a revelation of humility, which is illustrated beautifully in this parable and demonstrated wonderfully by the way this man lives that parable out each day.

I’m sure he would be completely taken aback (and even embarrassed) to find that I am writing about him in this way, but my dear warriors, I found myself humbled by the example he set. (In fact, I was appalled by the arrogance in my life that was highlighted by his humility). If I had to choose anything in scripture to describe the way he lives out his humility, I would absolutely choose the Parable of the Wedding Feast, and I would choose this parable as an example for any warrior to live their life by:
 
“Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, "When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Luke 14:7-11
 
This man does not boast in himself, his strength, his feats, or his intelligence. Though he is one of the most brilliant, wise, and intelligent men I know, he does not put any of that on display, but rather chooses to keep it hidden, like a secret treasure to be unlocked only by those who dare to search him out. He is a warrior, a sheepdog, a servant, and he represents Christ in all he does. He has understood the importance of being relatable and accessible in order to be able to minister Christ to others. He sets himself aside entirely for other people so that he can best serve them. He does not think of himself, but sits in the lowest place at the feast, not thinking once of being exalted by anyone else. He sits at the lowest place not because he expects to be exalted, but because he focuses on exalting the Lord first, and others before him. In fact, I don’t think it has crossed his mind once to exalt himself. He simply has a spirit of lowliness and humbleness that has permeated his way of thinking and living, and the burden to serve others is so pervasive that nothing has gone untouched by it.
 
My dear warriors, the role of a warrior is to protect others. A warrior is not self-serving, and is not in it for status or fame or glory. A true warrior does not show up because he wants to look cool in his uniform, or flaunt a title, or wear cool-looking gear, or say he is expertly trained in X number of weapons. A warrior shows up because he is truly there to serve and protect. A warrior is a sheepdog with a heart to take care of and protect those who are weaker, helpless, and broken. A warrior has the mind and eyes to recognize any threat; he knows how to recognize anything that is wrong, and is trained to react instinctively, not thinking of himself. A warrior does not boast in these things because it's just who he is.

A ‘warrior’ who is self-serving is not a warrior at all. A ‘warrior’ who is only out to protect himself is only practicing ‘self’-defense. He is no protector.
 
Christ tells us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow the way of love. He expects us to be like Him. We read in Scripture that Christ Himself is a mighty warrior. He demonstrates that a warrior is not arrogant, but meek. He demonstrates that meekness is not weakness, but strength under control. If you are not living intentionally, if you are not intentionally choosing to emulate Christ, to model your life after Him, then you are not living at all. Beloved, start living. Live intentionally. Practice being more like Him each and every day. Do not exalt yourself, but put others before you. Serve and protect others without thinking of being exalted, honored, praised, or recognized for what you are doing. Do it sincerely, out of love, out of kindness, and do it to honor your King and Lord.
 
Live humbly,
Warrior Beloved

​©Michèle Aimée, 2016