Proper Attire

As my memory serves me, rather than the kindly, “goodbye, see you next week,” my piano teachers’ parting words were always, “Practice! Practice! Practice!” Perhaps, just maybe, they suspected I wasn’t doing enough … practice.

The Apostle Peter wrote, “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5). This wasn’t a suggested game of dress-up but rather required attire of a servant. Specifically, the Greek refers to the knot or band by which two things are fastened together. It was the white apron of slaves that fastened to the belt, a piece of clothing distinguishing slaves from free men. Christians are to be subject to one by “putting on” humility. Humility won’t come to us through “Practice! Practice! Practice!” Neither will we achieve humility by order of proclamation, “Today, I will be humble.” Abandon that idea – it doesn’t work! Humility comes only from infusion by a divine work of the Holy Spirit. Our part is “a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17). Yes, I know the practice was important as it conditioned my hands to do what they would with piano keys. Surely, our hands must find their places of service; may they always serve from hearts clothed in humility!