Jeremiah 18:1-6:  The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.”  So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel.  The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.

Then the word of the Lord came to me: “Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done?” says the Lord. “Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand O house of Israel.”

The word humble comes from the Latin humus, or “earth” which is also the root of human. Thus, all humans are of the humus. Being humble implies not the slightest lowliness relative to other human beings. Someone who is of the humus is only lowly with respect to that which is above the humus: the Divine. Being human means we constantly fall short of the ideals we set for ourselves and expect of others. But by accepting our humility, we live into our fullest humanity. When have you felt “less than,” or have berated yourself or someone else for falling short? What would it mean accept our human limitations and to trust that in God, we are enough?

Prayer:
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Amen.