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Bible Reading Plan

Reading Plan:  Galatians 6:1-5

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.

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Daily Devotional: Collectively Humble

The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Luke 18:11-14 

In January, I joined a wildlife photography tour in Yellowstone National Park. The master photographer who led the tour requested we take a different seat each time we got into the large snow vehicle. This appeal goes against human nature, as most people are creatures of habit and prefer to return to the same seat. I purposely entered last and sat in the back because in my experience, your seat usually doesn’t make much difference. In this vehicle, though, there was a huge disparity between the locations in terms of comfort, exit, legroom, and space for a camera bag to change lenses. Unsure if this crew would heed the master photographer’s request, I decided I wasn’t going to be stuck in the worst seat the whole trip, so I entered the vehicle earlier next time. 

The woman who was in the absolute best seat the day before had boarded first and chose the second-worst seat. I was surprised and grateful. I took the best seat and thanked her. The next day, I took the second-best seat, and on the final day, I took the second-worst seat. The entire group did similar rotations. Easily giving up their spot and taking turns. This level of considerate behavior from everybody is rare. No one expected a reward. They were retired doctors, lawyers, CEOs. They were very humble people, thinking of others before themselves. 

The trip was a joy, living in a community for five days where everyone was kind and humble. If only the whole earth lived that way, where people exalt the other person to the better seat. The “will be exalted” from the passage happens when the other humble person gives up the best for your sake. This message is not for a single person. This idea is for a population all living out humility together. Picture we are a kindergarten class, and Jesus is the teacher asking us to all take turns holding the door for the group. When everyone is humble, your turn to be exalted will naturally occur.

The unexpected reward on the trip, which I claim was a gift from God, was amazing photographic opportunities that stunned the local guide. He frequently told us he’d never had a tour where there were so many excellent animal encounters. 

Next Steps

Through this upbeat song, pray you may become a humble loving piece of the humble loving community of heaven on earth.