Twila Paris - Humility Lyrics
Lyrics
Humility, that is what You ask of me
So, dear Lord, please let me be
Known for what I am
Reality, letting others see in me
Only what is really me
Stripped of all the sham
Open up my life, let them look inside
Open up my eyes, help me realize
That all they need to see in me is Your humility
O now I see, I was never meant to be
Such a slave to vanity, caught up in my pride
Transparency, letting Your life shine through me
Keeping my heart clear and clean, not a thing to hide
Open up my life, let them look inside
Open up my eyes, help me realize
That all they need to see in me is Your humility
Open up my life, let them look inside
Open up my eyes, help me realize
That all they need to see in me is Your humility
Video
Humility
Meaning & Inspiration
Twila Paris's "Humility," released on April 1, 1996, as part of her album *Keepin' My Eyes On You*, stands as a timeless anthem for spiritual authenticity and Christ-like character. The song delves into the profound desire to shed pretense and embrace a genuine walk with God, moving from an initial request for personal humility to a deeper revelation of Christ's nature within. It’s a powerful exploration of what it truly means for a believer to reflect the divine, steering away from the superficial and towards the eternal.
The song’s narrative begins with an earnest plea for "Humility, that is what You ask of me," reflecting a core tenet of faith. This isn't just about good manners or self-deprecation; it’s a recognition of God's explicit call for His children to adopt a humble stance. Scripture consistently highlights this demand, as seen in Micah 6:8, where the Lord asks us "to walk humbly with your God," or James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5-6, which emphatically state that "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." The request extends to being "known for what I am," an embrace of "Reality, letting others see in me / Only what is really me / Stripped of all the sham." This expresses a longing for transparency, a yearning to be unburdened by facades and to present a true self, free from the embellishments and deceptions that often cloud human interaction. It echoes Paul's commitment in 2 Corinthians 4:2 to "set forth the truth plainly" and renounce "secret and shameful ways."
The pivotal turning point arrives with the bridge: "Open up my life, let them look inside / Open up my eyes, help me realize / That all they need to see in me is Your humility." Here, the song transcends mere self-improvement. The singer’s eyes are opened to a profound truth – it's not simply *my* humility God desires, but *His* humility shining through me. This transforms the focus from a personal striving to an indwelling reality. This concept is deeply rooted in New Testament teaching, particularly Philippians 2:5-8, which describes Christ’s ultimate act of humility in emptying Himself and taking the form of a servant. When we allow Christ to live through us, as Galatians 2:20 proclaims, "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me," then it is His character, His humility, that becomes evident. It’s a call to embody "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27), allowing His nature to permeate our actions and interactions, becoming a living testament to His presence.
The second verse reinforces this transformative understanding, as the singer declares, "O now I see, I was never meant to be / Such a slave to vanity, caught up in my pride." This powerful realization exposes the destructive nature of ego and self-absorption, a stark contrast to the humility God desires. Proverbs 16:18 warns that "Pride goes before destruction," and 1 John 2:16 cautions against the "pride of life." By recognizing and repenting from these worldly inclinations, the individual is free to embrace "Transparency, letting Your life shine through me / Keeping my heart clear and clean, not a thing to hide." This echoes the blessing in Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God," and the prayer in Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a pure heart, O God." It’s about more than just outward actions; it's about an internal state of purity that allows the light of Christ to radiate unimpeded, making visible His transformative power. Ultimately, "Humility" is a call to profound introspection and surrender, inviting us to allow the very humility of Christ to be the defining characteristic of our lives, so that others, seeing us, truly see Him and glorify our Father in heaven, as Matthew 5:16 encourages.