Soul Care - More Humility
by Mary Elsbury
Society today is focused on achievements. Look at social media – it’s filled with videos of things an individual does to get attention or Insta pages of “new” trends or FB accounts of awards given for performance. These methods draw attention to how valuable, gifted, talented, and productive a person is.
Our focus this month is on humility. Humility comes from the Latin word humilis, which literally means "low." If you feel humility, you feel small in the scheme of things - that you are just a simple, insignificant person. Someone who spends his life taking care of others is living in humility. Although it's related to humiliation (which makes you feel low in a bad way), humility is usually used to talk about a lack of ego, arrogance, or false pride.
We all want to feel like someone of worth, that we are appreciated for our accomplishments. We start believing more highly in ourselves than we should. Humility comes from shifting the focus away from self as the center of attention. The mirror of public response doesn’t matter to us when we’re living with humility. Awards and accolades don’t matter. Our identity should be as a servant of the Most High God. Acknowledging our limitations and completely submitting to God’s divine plan demonstrates unwavering trust in God’s grace and providence. It is easier said than done.
Without humility, we won’t lead lives that put others before ourselves. Scripture gives us glimpses of the differences between the arrogant and the humble (Davis versus Saul, for example).
The Apostle Paul wrote about his “thorn in the flesh” and asked God three times to remove this affliction. His numerous prayers and acceptance of God’s response are examples of accepting your circumstances and clinging to the Savior for strength.
Jesus is the ultimate example of fostering a life of humility. While coming to earth in the flesh, He demonstrated what putting others first looked like. He laid down His power and authority and took on our sin so that we might live.
Being a Christian doesn’t mean our own wants and needs are unimportant, but it does mean we have an obligation to follow God. We live to serve God, not self, and to serve other people according to His wishes. Humility keeps us from walking our own selfish path, from living life how we see fit instead of God’s way. Humility helps us ensure that we are prioritizing other people, not just self. If we lived according to our own desires, what need would a Christian have for others? By seeking humility, we acknowledge who God is and His authority over our lives.
I encourage you to take a break from social media. Stop comparing yourself to people you don’t have a personal relationship with that do stupid stuff to get attention. Instead, here’s a spiritual exercise to try - write your resume based on character, and not expertise. What does it reveal about who you are becoming? Are you prideful or on the road to humility? How do you think God wants you to change?
If pride trips up the arrogant, then we want to avoid that. If God blesses the humble, then we want to reap that blessing. Today, if you struggle with humility, decide to make a change – today. Choose God and others over self. The change will be worthwhile.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12
