In Galatians 5:25, Paul writes, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” For God’s chosen people, the first part of that statement may be mysterious, but it isn’t foreign. As Christians, we understand ourselves to be alive by the Spirit, which dwells within the faithful by the means of God’s grace. But what about the second part of that statement? Paul seems to expect some action by the Galatians (and by us), so what could that be? At this retreat, we will understand that the essential attitude necessary for keeping in step with the spirit is humility. In the Christian understanding, humility isn’t simply a low view of self, but a high view of God.

     All Christians begin their new lives in a moment of humility. Whether you were raised in a Christian family and have been in church your whole life or you experienced a radical conversion like Paul, your new life in Jesus Christ began in total submission. This first moment is our closest and most sincere moment of faithfulness, as the Spirit comes upon us and imbues us with a righteousness that is not of our own making. In the waters of baptism and in the first moments of the indwelling Spirit, we hear God clearly, experience God completely, and follow God closely.

     Though, just as we’ve all experienced the power of the Spirit, we have also experienced the distractions of this world; and yes, even the distractions of our own discipleship. We soon begin to think in the first
person (I, me, my) rather than in the third person (He, Him, His), and soon our journey of faith is divorced from Him whose Spirit began it. We may be alive in faith, but we find ourselves not keeping in step with the Spirit, and struggling to find our way back.

     Together, we will learn more about biblical humility and how essential it is for us to embrace the indwelling Spirit and, in other words of Paul, be effective and productive in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. This will look different for each of the Father’s children, just as our first moments of humility were different, just as the promises Father God made to each of us are different. But together, we will understand the not-so common humility common in our faith, which is perfected in community.

     This community begins with you, so we encourage you to invite a companion to join you—your spouse, friend, or someone whose discipleship is important to you. Join us and let us learn together.