humility, grace, and gratitude

Orchard Hill Church had a special worship service at Gallagher-Bluedorn yesterday morning. It was a beautiful, moving service...one where you could really experience the power and presence of God in the room and one where you could really taste unity as we gathered and worshiped as one heart our Creator, the lover of our souls, our Savior.

A friend used the word "humility" to best describe the morning. I decided to look up the definition for humble: having or showing consciousness of one's defects or shortcomings; not proud, not arrogant, not self-assertive, modest, showing submissive respect. There was this sense of humble acknowledgement of who we are as well as who is the One who comes in love to save and restore us.

Our leader prayed this morning in staff meeting that we would be humble in everything. This is such a good charge for me. A glad conviction. A needed reminder on a daily basis, as it is so often pride, power, position, privilege, and prejudice that steer me off course regularly. Humility is the opposite of all of these pesky p's.

Another word I would use for yesterday's service is "grace"....found in the unconditional love and forgiveness of our God, and found in one another as we each acknowledge our brokenness and reach out in acceptance and love toward one another.

And one last word..."gratitude". Gratitude for the power of God to change lives. I cannot change myself. Only God can. There was a moving "cardboard testimony" yesterday in the service that was evidence to this truth. I don't have a video of our church's cardboard testimonies, but you can see another church's experience at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ

As we seek to live on mission with Jesus, I pray humility, grace, and gratitude for the journey.