by Howard Hain
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We should always strive to be fully united with The Body of Christ, in both thought and prayer. To think prayerfully, and to prayerfully think.
Let us then prayerfully embrace this particular moment:
Lord God, Father Almighty, let us use the talents, the gifts, and the abilities—that come from You, that will return to You, but that You have lent us for the time being—with maximum effectiveness, maximum efficiency, and bold humility—all for Your glory.
In the name of Jesus—in the person of Christ—as the Messiah Himself would offer.
Amen.
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Now, let us think, prayerfully.
What is “bold humility”?
Let’s explore an answer, slow and steady.
First, like all manifestations of God’s glory, “bold humility” is a matter of transcendence.
Second, transcendence is not merely a type of balance. Balance is something else entirely. It is something less than divine. Balance is a man-made religious concept. It is practical human philosophy at work in the world, depending on and functioning within human limitation. Unlike transcendence, balance does not stem from the theological posture of divine providence, and more so, it does not rely on the acknowledged power and faithful acceptance of divine grace.
For example, with regard to the matter at hand, “bold humility” is not merely the balancing of boldness and humility—it is not a matter of being equally bold and equally humble—as if on a scale of 1-10, a score of 5 for boldness and a score 5 for humility is achieved simultaneously—adding up to 10 and at the same time keeping the “seesaw” of virtue straight and parallel to the earth lying below.
No, “bold humility”, like all Christian (and therefore preternatural) virtue is not a matter of equally limiting each natural characteristic in order to fit them all within the confines of human potential and logical limitations.
In plain language then, “bold humility” is not simply a healthy combination of two virtues, namely “boldness” and “humility”.
And most directly to the point: Christ didn’t balance. He transcended.
Then what does transcendence mean in this supernatural sense?
Well, let us rule out a few more false understandings before positing a possible positive understanding.
It will prove helpful to also establish this negation: To transcend is not merely to eliminate. Nor is it merely to deny. By transcending one does not destroy the categories it transcends. So in this particular case we can say that “bold humility” does not “eliminate” or “deny” the category of “boldness” or the category of “humility”.
Now let us begin to state positively what Jesus accomplished—for Jesus most certainly transcended.
To transcend is to rise above and beyond. It is to journey through. It is to transform.
Transcendence fulfills the “categories” it leaves below—it completely and utterly fulfills each and every virtue that man could ever conceive—and not only at the same time or simultaneously, but eternally and to a maximum degree. Transcendence is perpetual fulfillment of all “goodness” to an infinite “degree”.
Transcendence is then what we might call: Active Shalom.
It is living, breathing “Fullness”. It is “True Peace”. It is “Oneness” and the “Unity of God”—alive and constantly in motion. For to transcend is also to enter and live within the Internal Consistency of The Eternal Creator Himself.
Transcendence is the ultimate simplicity of “I AM.”
It is Ipse Christus—Christ Himself—God made man, the Word made flesh, the magnificence of God brought into visible light.
And it is human redemption at work.
For the person of Jesus is just that: He is the glory of God woven into and through the very fabric of humanity—taking humanity above and beyond itself—transforming it on earth and simultaneously bringing it back with Him to the Father in heaven—as a new, glorified, and righteous form.
Jesus both lifts humanity into heaven and manifests fully God’s glory on earth.
“Bold Humility” is Jesus Himself.
He alone fulfills completely both “boldness” and “humility” without ceasing.
And by doing so He straddles two worlds—making them one. But yet He is much more than a bridge, much more than a mere mystical ladder. Jesus, if you will, is Jacob’s Ladder but built of human flesh—upon Whom not only holy angels ascend and descend between heaven and earth—but through Whom the very helix of humanity is redeemed and glorified.
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But enough words.
For they can never capture.
Jesus is profoundly free.
The best we can hope for is a glimpse—a fleeting image of the living, breathing manifestation of “Bold Humility” in ultimate action.
It takes silence.
It involves leaving the senses and faculties behind.
It requires “spirit and truth”:
We must stare at The Cross.
We must experience—firsthand—The Crucified Christ.
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Let us then pray once more:
Lord God, Father Almighty, let us use the talents, the gifts, and the abilities—that come from You, that will return to You, but that You have lent us for the time being—with maximum effectiveness, maximum efficiency, and bold humility—all for Your glory.
In the name of Jesus—in the person of Christ—as the Messiah Himself would offer.
Amen.
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