Lent is a season well suited to practicing humility.  Scripture tells us that Jesus humbled himself and was obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (a more humiliating event could not have been imagined).  So we practice humility as a way to follow Jesus, and to cast off all our ineffective, prideful attempts at self-promotion, self-salvation, and self-satisfaction.

When we remember that Jesus’ death is our only hope, and that all our efforts to save ourselves are at best short-term solutions and doomed to fail, we weep for our condition.  But we also need to remember that humiliation and remorse, both appropriate responses to God, are temporary.  Because on Easter Day, the humble are lifted up, and those who mourn are comforted with an everlasting comfort.

James 4:7-10—-Submit yourselves, then to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you.  Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts you double-minded.  Grieve, mourn and wail.  Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.