Hi Friends! Happy Friday! I hope you enjoyed these first few chapters of “Humble Roots.” This book is already convicting me in the best ways and I am anticipating it will be that way throughout its pages.
Let’s dive in to this week’s questions!
Sowing Seeds
*What words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word humility?
*Hannah says the key to humility is remembering that we are not God. Is this a hard truth to swallow? Why do our actions not tend to line up with this truth?
*In this chapter, Hannah lists several benefits of humility. Humility:
- brings us rest
- frees us to be the people God created us to be
- helps us see the extent of our own pride
- provides a way to flourish and frees us from the cycle of stress, performance, and competition
With all these benefits, why do you think we struggle with humility?
Chapter 1: Withering on the Vine
*Did you relate to how Hannah was feeling in this chapter?
*What do you fear will happen if you are unable to handle the “normal” issues that occur in your life? Do you feel pressure because you “should” be able to handle them?
*Hannah describes the idea of “the peace of the wild things.” The natural world, the birds and flowers, teach us that we don’t have to worry because our Creator will provide. Does nature speak to you in this way? Does knowing that God is providing for the flowers and birds give you confidence in trusting and seeking Him first?
Chapter 2: Breaking Ground
*How does pride affect the way we carry our burdens? Does pride keep you from finding rest in these burdens?
*How is humility related to freedom? What would you be free of if you were full of humility?
*“Instead of embracing Jesus as your Messiah, it’s entirely possible that you’ve become your own Messiah” (pg. 41). How did you answer the questions Hannah posed? How can you humble yourself and submit to God in these areas?
Scripture for the Week
Luke 11:46
Matthew 23:2-4
Matthew 6:25-30
Matthew 11:28
Prayer of the Week
Father God, thank You that we don’t have to worry. You are our Provider and we can trust You completely. We may not understand Your ways but we know we can trust Your heart. Help us to be rid of pride and self-reliance. Help us to embrace Jesus completely as our Messiah and let go of the pressures we feel from being unable to control our lives. Help us to rest in the fact that we can go to You with our burdens. We are never alone because You are always with us and that is the best news. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
For Next Week
*Finish Part One by reading chapters 3 and 4
Though I’ve been an adult for more than 20 years (where has the time gone?!), I think I’ve only really felt the “adulting” – and the stress that comes with it – in the past 10 years.
Like Hannah, I’ve always been taught if you work hard for things, they’ll surely come your way and you’ll be successful. It’s not necessarily that these kind of results won’t occur; rather it’s simply not a guarantee. And that’s the issue: everyone – our parents, teachers, Western culture as a whole – makes you believe it works this way.
If we’re told we can handle life, we start to believe it, even if it’s on a superficial level. To be clear, I’m not saying we shouldn’t learn how to adapt and accept responsibility for real things on our plates. We can’t just run away from our problems! What I am saying is that a false narrative is planted and starts to grow when we believe we can be and do all.
And that is how it starts: masking the truth. We mask our abilities – or really inabilities – and simply “show face.” I looked this term up online and found what I think to be a very appropriate definition: “This expression generally implies that one is appearing, despite being embarrassed about something, or that one is afraid to appear for some reason.”
It’s embarrassing to not have it altogether. We’re fearful of not doing it right. But more than that, we’re fearful of not doing, period. We can’t imagine not doing because we can’t imagine life without the pressure to do, anything.
And even if we know (on a surface level) that God provides and will take care of us, how that looks or how long that takes isn’t something we like to lean on Him for if we’re being honest. Taking matters into our own hands feels responsible. But really this is a result of wanting to control things. Our pride often gets in the way even when we think we’re doing the right thing; “it can hide behind good intentions” as Hannah says. (Page 38)
All jokes aside, “adulting” is hard. When I see babies in their strollers chilling with their bottles and munching on Cheerios, I often whisper, “Now that’s the life!” But I’m learning it’s not my responsibilities per se that I’m not happy with; it is how I’m handling them. That. I. Am. Handling. Them. So many of the things on my to-do list could honestly be removed. I just keep them on to feel important, needed….or to be able to complain about my long list!
The truth is, we 1) like the drama or challenge of trying to be everything to everyone and get it all done (well, mind you) and 2) don’t trust – or want – anyone else to handle it. This is why it’s so hard to give ourselves and our lives to God! It’s a pride problem, a surrender problem, a sin problem. I don’t think this is something we grow out of fully until we are with God in heaven. That being said, it doesn’t mean we run endlessly and aimlessly on the hamster wheel of life until it’s our time to flatline. We have to recognize our natural human limitations. “When we disregard [these], we set ourselves in God’s place.” (Page 42) And as much as I have faith in myself, deep down I know (without a doubt) I’m not able to cut it! And if I’m really honest, I don’t want to.
Maybe it’s not about taking ourselves out of the equation as I think I’ve mentioned in previous posts. Maybe it’s accurately placing ourselves into that equation.
Matthew 6:24 says, “No one can serve two masters.” We have to take a deep breath and figure out who we’re serving. Who are we doing all this for? When we serve ourselves – as awesome as we may think that is – what are we really gaining? We’re the focus of that equation…and it’s getting us nowhere. But when we submit to God (as hard as that is), it becomes clearer that He is not only our Provider and Protector but also our Planner.
All the running around to get things done and make things happen can stop when we understand this truth. We can lay down our burdens and take on His burden, knowing we don’t have to strive under His yoke. This doesn’t mean we get to put our feet up and ignore reality. He calls us to work. But we are to work for Him. As Colossians 3:17 says, “ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” If we try to do things in our strength, we will fail. When we do things in His strength, He will strengthen us to go the distance.
I realize it’d be great if we didn’t have burdens at all. But maybe that’s partly how we see our need for Him. He can handle our burdens. He wants to carry them. We should let Him.