Nehemiah is my propeller for this thought. In the first chapter of his book, he is brought news of distress from Jerusalem. At this time he is in Susa serving as cup bearer to the king.
Susa was the capitol of the ancient Elam, which is presently the hottest part of Iran, Khuzestan, roughly 1000 miles away from Jerusalem.
Nehemiah broke down weeping at the news he was brought: that Jerusalem's walls were destroyed, and that the remnant of the people were in great trouble and shame.
He wept, but it says also in verse 4 "...and I continued fasting and praying."
Two things that i notice about this. 1) He CONTINUED, meaning he had been fasting and praying for Jerusalem and probably his role with his people before then, and 2) he did not let his weeping get in the way. He didn't wait until he was broken to begin worship and prayer, he started as soon as he thought about the situation. He reached a certain level of humility here that I don't see in myself almost ever.
Even being broken, he refused to not focus on God. Generally speaking when I am sad, I get that out of the way first and then seek out God's wisdom. Nehemiah says I've got it all wrong. Humility is not lowering yourself, but putting God before you. That's what Nehemiah did!
So as the school year gets harder with classes really starting today, be humble, seek the Father especially during the roughest part of your day.
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