Humility Comes Before Honor

"Humility, that low, sweet root, from which all heavenly virtues shoot."  - Thomas Moore

One of the most difficult things for us to do is to be humble. It's not easy to do so because we live in world that seems to celebrate the boastful, the egotistical, and the contentious. Sadly, many are taught from a young age that the "pushover" is weak, and that the "squeaky wheel" gets the attention. We must constantly push our way to the front of the line, or risk becoming inconsequential.

But there's something that is being lost in this line of thinking. The individual who quietly and humbly works in the background for the sake of the masses is becoming more and more scarce. Everyone wants to share the spotlight, even to the point of nastiness and acrimony. One being humble, or exemplifying humility is almost seen as an oddity; a relic from some long ago age.

Biblically speaking, humility is described as being meek, modest, or putting others ahead of oneself. In her book of devotions,"Each New Day," recalls one particular meeting with Indian Christian missionary Sadhu Sundar Singh this way: When I saw Sadhu Sundar Singh in Europe, he had completed a tour around the world.

People asked him, "Doesn't it do harm, your getting so much honor?" The Sadhu's answer was: "No. The donkey went into Jerusalem, and they put garments on the ground before him. He was not proud. He knew it was not done to honor him, but for Jesus, who was sitting on his back. When people honor me, I know it is not me, but the Lord, who does the job."

In order for us to come to Christ we must do so in humility. Accomplishments, status, and egos don't mean a thing here. Nothing less than our total acceptance in that we are hopeless sinners, with nothing to offer God but our sin and the necessity of salvation, will suffice.

Jesus was the perfect model of humility. He did not come to be served, but to serve. This is a hard concept for many to understand today. It might be easier to ask someone to walk barefoot over broken glass than to put the needs of someone else ahead of themself (Philippians 2:3).

However, biblical humility is essential not only for admittance into the kingdom, but in order to be great therein, as well (Matthew 20:26-27). Thus, when God extends His offer of grace and mercy, we must be ready to humbly accept it and pledge to live for Him, and for others. One must "die to self" in order to live as a new creation in Christ (Galatians 5:24).

Christ was neither embarassed nor hesitant to humble Himself; to be a servant (John 13:1-16). He exemplified humility even up to the point of His crucifixion (Philippians 2:8). It never mattered what was occurring in His life. In his humbleness, He was always faithful to His Father.

And, as He repeatedly demonstrated for us, we too should be willing to set aside our own self-regard and submit to Him. By His actions, Jesus made manifest that true humility produces security, godliness, and contentment.

Scripture: Galatians 2:20; Mark 8:35; John 12:24; Colossians 3:3; Philippians 1:21

Prayer: Dear Lord, cleanse me of all lingering sparks of self-importance that might raise me greater than You; or cause me to see myself greater than anyone else. And, may my heart always imitate Yours in humility. Amen

Have a blessed Monday!

Gwendolyn