Have you ever considered that there are places we enter and people we find ourselves near who provoke humility in us?
When we learn about the positive impact we’ve had on someone else, we often say, “I’m so humbled.”
When we sit across from someone we’ve hurt deeply by our words or actions, humility is as close as the empty chair at the table.
When an addict hits “rock bottom,” humility can be provoked more easily than when he’s insulated from the consequences of his actions.
When we step into the room with someone who has immense power we lack, we feel humbleness in our bones.
As we conclude this month’s Worship Now theme, The King, I’m looking back at what it must have been like for the shepherds and wise men to step into the presence of Jesus. What did they feel as they were in the physical presence of The King of Kings? Did they allow Him to wrap His hand around their pinky finger or pull on their beards?
Looking back at that time prompted me to look ahead. None of us will get to meet baby Jesus like the shepherds, wise men, Mary, or Joseph. But we will get to stand in the presence of The King. Revelation 4:9-11 talks about how others responded to standing in His presence.
“Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,
'You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.'"
Though those twenty-four elders are wearing crowns, though they have a place of honor near the throne of God, they recognize the character and glory of The King. We know they recognize this because they take off their crowns and lay them at the foot of the King of Kings.
But, I hope your experience with the King continues to humble you like it did Queen Victoria of England.
Frederic Farrar, the dean of England's Canterbury Cathedral at the beginning of the 20th century, shared a story about the late Queen Victoria.
“After the sermon the Queen spoke to him on the topic which he had chosen, and said:- 'Oh, how I wish that the Lord might come during my own lifetime!' 'Why,' asked the preacher, 'does your Majesty feel this earnest desire?'
'Oh,' replied the Queen with quivering lips and with her whole countenance lighted by deep emotion, 'I should so love to lay my crown at his feet.'
He’s worthy of our crowns and our worship because He is The King.
Unless you’re really into tiaras, you probably don’t have any crowns laying around your home today. (And just in case you were wondering, I don’t either!) If we can’t lay down our crowns today at His feet, what can we do?
First, we can look forward to that day when we will be able to do so. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 and 2 Timothy 4:8 describe the crowns we’ll receive in our eternal life with God after death. If you don’t ever pause to think about the reality that you are an eternal being, and your life on earth is quite short in light of eternity, I would encourage you to stop and meditate on that from time to time. Our view of eternity can shape our response to the challenges and opportunities of today. When I pause to think about these realities, I look forward to worshiping God and laying down my crown in humility before Him.
Second, in the meantime, I wonder if there are other sacrifices of worship or expressions of praise we can make toward God. Sure, we can sing songs and we should. But what else can we do to worship and praise?
What would it mean to simplify my life - dress more simply, drive a more basic vehicle, downsize into a smaller home? What might God do if I put those resources at His feet?
What would it mean to serve others without drawing attention to myself? Paying for someone’s meal or groceries without their knowledge? Volunteering without posting a selfie before or after? Anonymously giving a single mom a night of babysitting for her kids and a massage for herself?
Worship and praise aren’t just the songs we sing, but the steps we take in light of the worth and glory of God
Ryan Ellis sings about this reality in his song, "All My Praise."
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I have no idea what kind of power, position, or resources you have been entrusted with by God. Maybe you’re thinking, “I don’t have a dollar to give away.” Everyone has something, even if it feels insignificant. Whatever you have, He is worthy of laying it down at His feet because He is The King.
Scott Savage is a pastor and a writer. He leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona. Scott is married to Dani and they are the parents of three “little savages.” He loves helping hurting people forgive others through his Free to Forgive course and you can read more of his writing at scottsavagelive.com.
