December 14, 2025
— Augustine · Source: Letter 118 (to Dioscorus), 22 (tr. J. G. Cunningham, NPNF I/1)
1 Peter 5:5–6 All of you, clothe yourselves with humility and subject yourselves to one another, for God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore to God’s mighty hand, that in due time he may lift you up.
Augustine reminded me that on Christ's way the first thing is humility, the second humility, the third humility; so too in ministry, the most important qualification is not ability, experience, or effectiveness, but humility. 1 Peter says that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. If I unknowingly exalt myself in my service, even when preaching the truth, I may lose God's grace. True shepherding is surrendering oneself to God's mighty hand, giving all results to Him.
Lord, thank you for choosing me, unworthy, in your ministry. Guard my heart, lest pride grow in my service. Teach me to gird myself with humility, to willingly submit to your guidance, and to learn to humble myself before exalting you. May all that I do not serve to glorify myself, but rather to be a vessel that receives your grace and truth. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.