Virtues of March: Humility

Virtues of March: Humility
Author's Character Series
Net's Notations Tuesdays

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:10)

Sometimes I'm tempted to list a passel of scriptures and leave it at that. Do you know what happens behind the "screen" over here as I bring up these virtues? (Like when I recently discussed patience? Remember that dog we talked about? 'nuff said.) *grin*

But, humility is key in regards to a Christian author's character. So, let's dig in.

Jesus gives us an example by demonstrating humility Himself.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
(Phil. 2:3-8, NLT)

Humility lets you be yourself—a marvelous, one-of-a-kind creation of God.

Humility insists you walk out your calling and use your gifts, without apology and without pride.

Humility boldly represents God, knowing rightly our position: we are God's ambassadors in the world.

Humility has nothing to prove.

Humility doesn't strive for attention or compliments.

Humility is content to work behind the scenes and never be noticed.

Humility looks to God for acceptance and approval. He’s the Audience of One.

Humility partners with peace and rest.

Humility protects us from the fall pride brings.

Humility receives compliments graciously because humility embraces truth without impure motives.

Now, let’s consider humility’s antonym: pride.

Here’s a verse that can help keep our minds from skipping merrily after vain thoughts:

For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? (1 Corinthians 4:7)

We’ll stave off vain imaginations by remembering we need God’s grace as writers—both to write well (craft study still required) and for open doors. Thankfully, God ties humility and grace together with a promise:

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

After studying this today, I could use that grace God's speaking of. How about you? Let's be intentional about this one. It's all part of cooperating as God's works on His authors' characters.

Virtues of March: Kindness

Virtues of March: Kindness
Author's Character Series
Net's Notation Tuesdays

Who is the kindest person you know?

Merriam Webster dictionary online describes this virtue as “of a sympathetic or helpful nature.” One definition is “mindful of other people.”

Does kindness come naturally to you? I’m naturally sympathetic, but kindness has to be intentional in my life.

As Christians, our example of kindness is found in Jesus. He reaches out for the widow’s hand in comfort. He heals the leper because mercy (a closely related virtue) motivates Him to move.

What motivates you to move?

One night as I sat before my computer considering this journey as a writer, fear snuck up on me. This was years ago (not that fear doesn’t lurk even now), and I believe I was considering entering a short-story contest. Either way, there I sat, knowing my calling. Knowing I had something to offer, but fearing failure. Fearing the future.

I flipped from Web site to Web site, considering other authors’ novels. What if I didn’t measure up? What if I succeeded?!

That’s about the point I remember feeling Jesus step up behind me and it was as if He put His arms around me. I felt His presence. I felt His assurance, His benediction, even. He covered me with peace and affirmation. Kindness. Because right at that moment in my writing life, I didn’t have to be Jerry Jenkins or Karen Kingsbury. I never have to be those awesome authors. I just have to be me. And I have time to get to the potential God has placed in me.

And so do you.

But there He was, comforting me in my fret. Just when I needed it. What a gift of kindness.

I smiled. I teared up. I thanked Him. And I pressed on and entered that contest.

Sometimes I turn to people for kindness in the midst of the dark forest of fret. Fellow critique partners, family, writing buds. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But I want to turn to God first. I want to soak up His kindness, letting it penetrate those pockets of fear until fear is overwhelmed by affirmation, and I find peace again.

Kindness is rare in our world. Competition and fast-paced lifestyles relegate it to a low priority. But when you show kindness, you are showing your Christlike character.

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
just as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

Virtues of March: Peace

Virtues of March: Peace
Author's Character Series

Net's Notation Tuesdays

Our family just got a new dog. He’s two years old, a mini-dachshund mix who is timid about strange noises and other dogs. I’ve got a new command for him since his arrival with our family: Peace. I want him to know he’s safe in my arms. I calm my own heart rate, (dogs pick up on people anxiety) and I stroke his back and say, “Peace.” And when he settles, I say, “Good peace.”

Okay, so it’s a little unconventional, but it’s something I want him to learn—he can have peace. He can relax and know he’s safe.

How about you? When God whispers peace into your life, do you receive it? You’re waiting to hear back from an editor. You’ve done the hard work and pushed past the procrastination (fear of failure, doubts, fear of success) and handed in your manuscript (or query or proposal). Now you wait. Do you wait peacefully?

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

Hear Jesus speak peace to us. He commands peace toward our circumstances (like when He calmed the storm and sent fear scrambling for the sake of His disciples). But He speaks it over us. When Jesus speaks peace, He imparts it to us in a powerful exchange, anxiety for rest. He is the Prince of Peace. But, as with salvation, we have a choice whether or not to receive it.

In this verse Jesus shows we have a choice even as to whether we “let” our hearts be troubled.

That challenges me. How about you?

Funny how timely this is. I’ve just sent in a requested full. Now I wait. Lord, help me choose peace. Grace me to hear the Prince of Peace whispering peace into my life. And speak peace to the storm of doubts which may come. I receive Your gift of peace.

Being at rest in His care (like our family’s new pet) is a sign that we have chosen peace. And that’s one thing He looks for in His authors. It’s a sign of a character like His.