The final lesson from world-renowned spiritual mentor Richard Foster.
“What is humility?”
A year-long journey to find humility, a value that is disappearing in our time!
★★★Recommended by Kim Ki-seok (Senior Pastor, Cheongpa Church) and Lee Jong-tae (Director of the Seoul Women's University Chaplaincy Office)★★★

This book is a year-long spiritual pilgrimage to discover the meaning and value of humility.
Richard Foster finds that many people today are losing the important value of humility by becoming narcissistic and selfish, prioritizing self-satisfaction above all else.
Not only are you unable to see yourself as you are, you have also lost interest in others.
Accordingly, Foster realizes that humility is the most fundamental virtue in human life and meditates on humility in the form of a diary every week.
It presents insights from a wide range of sources, from Jesus, the living example of humility, to Bernard of Clairvaux, Thomas à Kempis, Julian of Norwich, Andrew Murray, and personal friends.
Moreover, by sharing his own experiences of learning and practicing humility in the 'small corners' of life, he provides deep and rich wisdom on how we can live humble lives in today's culture.

Since I've already used the Lakota calendar as the framework for this diary, I think it would be beneficial to also think about the tribe's cultural ideals.
The Twelve Virtues of the Lakota provide a good framework for reflection throughout the year.
The virtues we will examine, one each month for the next twelve months, are as follows:
Humility, patience, respect, honor, love, sacrifice, truth, compassion, courage, perseverance, tolerance, wisdom.
--- From "Chapter 1: The Moon That Hardens the Earth"

Tonight I think of Bruce and the humility that seems to permeate him.
There are a lot of people in his field who seem arrogant and completely absorbed in themselves.
But surprisingly, he served others, especially his students, with love from a state of complete self-forgetfulness.
Knowing him has enriched my life infinitely.
--- From "Chapter 2: The Moon When Trees Break in the Cold_Humility"

In my opinion, one of the surest signs of humility is complete freedom from all desire for domination and control.
Humility is neither the desire nor the need to impose anything on anyone.
A demanding attitude goes against a humble mind.
Humility puts others at ease by being friendly.
There seems to be a cheerfulness that is almost unconscious in the humble.
Perhaps this is because there is no human reputation to protect, and no need to build a reputation to win people's admiration.
--- From "Chapter 3: The Moon That Hurts the Eyes_Patience"

Of course, the 'humility' of flowers has a different meaning for us, who struggle with extreme pride and harmful self-deception.
But isn't it clear that flowers bear some resemblance to the attributes of their creator? So, isn't there also, somehow, a sense of God's profound humility embedded within these beautiful wildflowers? Without the slightest hint of arrogance or pride, I gaze intently at the clusters of flowers, radiating radiant light and beauty.
The flowers are just there for everyone to see.
How can such beauty be described in human words?
In all the glory of the flowers blooming in the valley, I learn a little of the beauty of humility.

--- From "Chapter 4 The Moon the Duck Returns_Respect"

We cannot achieve humility by our own strength.
We do not reach God through our actions; He comes to us first.
We cannot take the initiative from him.
Ultimately, humility is a gift from God.
But we too can prepare to receive humility as a grace.
We just need to align our will with God.
If what I say about humility being a gift from God is true, then it becomes possible to be certain that humility is indeed powerful.
Humility is strong enough to break even the shackles of pride.
--- From "Chapter 5: The Month of Growing Body_Honor"

Humility is a pure, unsullied virtue.
First, we must know what humility is; second, we must cherish humility; third, we must faithfully emulate humility; and fourth, we must constantly experience humility in our character.
Training like this requires a loving community.
Other people, such as spiritual leaders, friends in the faith, and wise elders, must help us develop the right perspective and discernment.
For humility to mature, we need a community of people who know how to guide other souls with love.
That's what I need most.

--- From "Chapter 6: The Moon When Blue Leaves Sprout_Love"

How did Paul learn humility so deeply? Did he see an example of humility as he stood witnessing Stephen's death? Many of the disciples of Jesus, whom he persecuted, clearly showed him a life of humble service.
Rather, I believe Paul learned the fundamentals of humility when he had a dramatic encounter with the resurrected Christ (so intense that he fell from his donkey and lost his sight for a time) and experienced conversion alongside Ananias, who called him “Brother Saul.”
More importantly, he spent three years in the Arabian Desert.
There he would have been learning directly from his teacher, Jesus, who is God.
It is clear that Paul learned well what a humble life looks like in the closet of his heart.
I too would like to learn the supreme value of a humble heart.

--- From "Chapter 11: The Moon with Leaves Falling in the Wind_Perseverance"

I often pray like that when I drink my morning coffee.
There are times when we are led by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and stay in one part of our heart, mind, imagination, or soul for a long time.
Sometimes He teaches me or guides me, and sometimes He makes a confession on my part.
Above all, there is a calm and intimate friendship.
Even when my mind seems to wander far from the purity I seek, I strive to continue praying like this.
Sometimes this little prayer follows me all day long.
Purify, renew, sanctify, and enlarge.

--- From "Chapter 12: The Month When the Deer Are in Heat_Aryang"