Humility

I am reminded of this verse, when I think about humility:

Philippians 2: 5 – 11
5In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God, the Father.

Jesus is the perfect example of Humility. He, being in very nature of God, never showed off. In spite all the
temptations to portray himself as God, never gave in to it.

It is not becoming a door mat. It is not saying I am not good at it, of course, we’ll be judged for every opportunity that we waste. It is simply saying, that there are others who can do much better than me and I am an instrument in the hands of God, I have been chosen to do this by the grace of God.

Fear is a part of pride. Fear of being humiliated and not recognized. Fear of being laughed upon. When we look at humility – it’s about sacrifice. Sacrificing our recognition and being vulnerable. It’s not in born. It is learnt. It takes an effort. We ought to tell our self that it’s only me, God honours the humble and meek.

Speaking softly and looking humble is not humility. It’s a character. It needs to be worked upon.
One thing I have seen and experienced, that if I don’t work on it, then, I will have to walk through fire just to get this character instilled in me. This could be any kind of trial and troubles. God is interested in our

Character and not our Charisma. We can get Charisma through any make over, but character takes time and effort. Many times, we are not able to gauge pride within us, but others can. It’s like a bad mouth odour / or Snoring. At times, our family will also not tell, for the fear of being hated or yelled at. But very evidently people can see. When we love someone, we should help them to see the pride within them and if we are on the other side receiving the correction, then we should work on it without justifying. God honours the humble.

As a conclusion, there is a good illustration that I would like to share, Samuel Brengle who was an early Salvation Army official was once introduced as the, “Great Dr. Brengle.” He later wrote in his diary, “If I appear great in their eyes, the Lord is most graciously helping me to see how absolutely nothing I am without Him and helping me to keep little in my own eyes. He does use me. But I am so concerned that He uses me and that it is not of me the work is done. The axe cannot boast of the trees it has cut down. It could do nothing but for the woodsman. He made it, he sharpened it, and he used it. The moment he throws it aside, it becomes only old iron. O, that I may never lose sight of this.”

Some questions to ponder: Can we see the pride within us? Can we speak to others about ‘MY issue’? Or can we embrace the correction given by others? If we are not able to accept it, then definitely, we need help with our character. It’s always better to talk to someone trustworthy, or your leader.

They’ll be able to guide us and show us how to build our character towards humility.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    -Sandra wife of Virjil Selvan