H.U.N.G.E.R. - H is for....

Since we are kicking off a new year, I wanted to start a new series that would extend beyond the length of the typical New Year’s resolution. I actually looked it up and studies show that most people fail by January 12th! Wow. Only 8% of people actually accomplish their New Year’s goals.

Why is that? A simple answer might be that people put all the focus on the “what” instead of the “why” and the “how.” If we aren’t fully committed to the “why,” then the “what” (dreams, goals etc…) will fall by the wayside. I love this quote as it relates to the “how.”

Ambitious people create and focus on goals; high achievers create and focus on processes.”

Matthew 5:6 says:

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

As this verse tells us, our “why” (hunger) is to live our lives in pursuit of the righteousness of God and that is the path to being satisfied. Culture tells us otherwise. It tells us to live our lives pleasing self (self-fulfillment) and that is the path of being satisfied. Most of us spend our lives trying to do both and get confused when one path conflicts with the other. That is why it is so critical to know and be committed to our “why.”

Today we are going start an acronym series on the word H.U.N.G.R.Y. It will last 6 weeks so I think we are safely beyond the typical New Year resolution fail dates. Ha.

The H in H.U.N.G.R.Y. is for the word humility. I know that it may seem counter-intuitive to talk about humility when the word hungry screams passion, energy and personal achievement. However, humility is often misinterpreted and it certainly doesn't mean living a passive life or one without passion. Instead, humility actually helps us properly direct our passion.

The opposite of humility is pride and God hates pride. We know this because it is says so 22 times in the Bible.

Proverbs 6:16 "There are six things which the Lord hates, yes seven which are an abomination to Him."  He mentions pride first.

Proverbs 8:13, "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way…

In fact, we actually place ourselves in opposition to God with our pride:

1 Peter 5:5 …for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 

Pride can easily creep up on us because many of the prideful areas in our lives are often really good things – blessings from God that we are trying to take too much credit for. God is the one that gives us the ability to succeed and prosper. Remembering where our blessings come from and having a teachable spirit help us remain humble before Him.

1 Peter 5:6  Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.

The last part of this verse reminds us of our “why.”

Stay humble and hungry,

Big E