2 Chronicles 7:14 RSV
" . . . if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

I don't know about you, but I'm about fed up with the election process. Debate this, debate that. Advertise this, advertise that. Lie about this, lie about that! Do you feel, as I do, that it's almost impossible to get the truth out of any politician? And yet, because it's the way of democracy, it goes on and on and on.

I'd give just about anything for a choice on the ballot that says, "None of the above." Where is the sanity in any of this?

And yet, as Christians, our Hope isn't in whether or not a certain politician gets elected, whether or not a certain law gets passed or repealed or even if they figure out how to keep us out of a recession. Our Hope is in the Lord (Psalm 39:7b).

I think we often forget that we actually have the "answer" within our grasp. Or perhaps it's because we'd rather have a different answer. Because, to be honest, while it's easy to say the words (from Chronicles above), it's not nearly as easy to do the words.

This very familiar passage of scripture begins with "If my people who are called by my name." Well, that's us. Christians. Acts 11:26 tells us that, from Antioch, those who believed in the Lord Jesus were called thus: "in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians" (RSV). Called by His name. The Lord Jesus Christ, Christ meaning "Messiah, God's Savior." We are the ones that believe, that live His truth. He is our Savior and we embrace that.

Then surely this passage in 2 Chronicles is also for us.

But then it gets hard. It's not enough that we are Christians. For then the Spirit says: "If [they will] humble themselves . . . " We're not fond of humbling ourselves. In fact, we are a people that prides ourselves in our self-respect, our self-love, our self-worth. And humble is exactly the opposite of all that.

Interestingly enough, as I research humility (in order to get a more practical handle on it), I came across the Rule of St. Benedict which lists 12 characteristics of humility. In reading those, I thought they could be adapted for my own situation (since I'm not a monk). They have great spiritual value.

(1) Have the fear of God before my eyes.
(2) Want to do the Lord's will, rather than my own.
(3) Being obedient to the Lord in all things.
(4) Be patient and persevering, even through suffering.
(5) Readily and regularly confess my sins, one to another.
(6) Be willing to accept the lesser, the least, so that others may be blessed with the greater, the more.
(7) Understand that, with the apostle Paul, I am the worst of all sinners (1 Timothy 1:15)
(8) Living by the example of elder Christians around me.
(9) Listening always, speaking little.
(10) Being careful what entertains me.
(11) Speaking gently, taking care not to harm those around me with my words.
(12) Having a gentle, humble demeanor.

(For any interested, the Rule can be read, translated, here: http://www.kansasmonks.org/RuleOfStBenedict.html#ch7).

Reading these twelve things, writing them, I am deeply convicted of what I am not. There are so many of these I am not! And I should be.

Scripture tells us that we "humble ourselves." That means that humility is a choice. It is how we order our actions; it is how we think about ourselves. And it is very different than how most of us are, I think. But it is how we should be. Particularly if we want God to answer our prayers, if I want God to answer my prayers.

Copyright 2008 by Robin L. O'Hare. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission. Permission to reproduce will be given by author by contacting servinggodalone @ yahoo.com. All copies must be reproduced in their entirety and distributed without cost.