Too often I suspect that I have sought to "show" humility in one of two directions. The first is being humble towards God - something that clearly Scripture clearly speaks to multiple times. The second is being humble towards other people, which seems to create a sort of underlying resentment in my life.
Underlying resentment? I wonder, as I think through it, if it is caused by something as humanly silly as I do not want to be humble "in all directions".
I think I would argue that I, and most Christians have no problem being humble before God (at least in theory). Even the most lackluster of theologians gets the great distance between the Creator and the created, and in our minds we can somehow justify that we should "humble" ourselves before the Someone that is greater.
At least for me, humbling myself before others - not infrequently, but rather on a daily basis - seems, frankly, like an inconvenience that has been put on me.
Sure, if I manage to claw my way through my own pride and towering self confidence, I can "generously" see my way clear to being humble in the presence of those that are more educated or know more than I. But being humble to everyone? That often seems like a bridge too far.
And yet, I wonder if God's true measure of our humility is how humble we are to the lowliest person in our lives.
It is easy to be humble to someone we consider our superior in some form or fashion, and most can rally the effort to humble themselves (at times) to those whom they consider their equals. But to those who in some way are "below" us? Those who have nothing to offer us? Those who clearly struggle through things that we hardly think about it? How often I struggle to be humble towards those folks as well.
But the command to be humble is not a ranked one in Scripture; it is not as if God said "Be humble to this group - but no need to worry about these folks over here. Them, you can just act as you please." No, He simply said "Be humble". The implication, of course is, "to everyone".
I wonder what my life would look like if, for one week, I made a significant effort to truly humble myself towards every person that came into my life.
I suspect it, like many things, would be an example of the saying by G.K. Chesterton that "The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried."
I suppose anything that is not yet habit is a lot of work.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things that make your posts so interesting and worthwhile to read is your self-analysis and your willingness to share it in words.
After reading this post, my impression is that you see humility as an action. Something that has to be put on and performed toward each person. I would say that it's preferable to view humility as a state of being. I would argue that the implication "to everyone" isn't necessary if the emphasis is on "be." Be humble. Just be. No additional people necessary.
Leigh, that is a super interesting observation and something I had not realized that had crept - perhaps unaware - into my writing.
DeleteI suppose I am viewing it as a choice because it seems so many people do not choose it. You suggest a second level, where the choice is made and one "is".
I agree it's definitely a choice and that few people seem to choose it. Your previous posts cover that pretty well, i.e., humility is seen as a weakness rather than a strength. That plus it's so opposite to human nature,
DeleteIndeed, it is so opposite to human nature we spend most of our lives avoiding it.
DeleteAccepting humbleness 24/7 is the struggle it seems, not just at certain times and in certain places. Because of social media it seems certain "influencers" have never heard of humbleness nor know how to even spell it TB. This country hasn't had the class system of so many European countries or what India has, yet economics are the class divider here TB.
ReplyDeleteEconomics - and the perceived "better-ness" they provide - certainly serve as a class divider here, Nylon12 (as they so often do elsewhere).
DeleteThe whole idea of an "influencer" seems completely opposed to the idea of humility.
"gets the great distance between the Creator and the created"
ReplyDeleteRomans 8:9-11 Christ and His Spirit dwell in the Christian. That's not very far away....
"to those who in some way are "below" us?"
Phil 2:3-11 ..let each esteem other better than themselves... following Christ's example of leaving Heaven to become a servant and die like a criminal for every human that would trust in Him.
What always comes to my mind is our similarity not difference. I could just as easily be the server, the cook, the dishwasher, the pig poop picker-upper. I've done all that and more. I'm only different if I'm saved and they aren't. And my sole reason to exist is to point others to Jesus. Everything about me should smell and taste of His character, lightly flavored or spiced by me. Jesus on earth, in His STxAR form.
Happy Sunday!
STxAR - We certainly talk a great deal about our "similarities", yet we now (in our current form anyway) trumpet our differences. It certainly adds a layer of complexity.
DeleteIt does make me wonder what other of Christ in His TB form.
I try to observe how people treat people who can do nothing for them. That's the true character.
ReplyDeleteOne of the best tools, John. It is also a good reminder and check on myself as well.
DeleteIt's very powerful when someone from a high station in life has a humble manner. I think of the surgeon who saved my son's life when his appendix ruptured. He doesn't seek accolades, which makes him all the more a super-hero.
ReplyDeleteProbably the reason that Trump's campaign stunt of working at a McDonald's succeeded so well, was because everyone sensed that he did not in any way look down on those that worked there.
Anon - It is a refreshing shock in today's modern celebrity and influencer driven culture to find individuals that act, well, like regular people. We would all benefit from more of this attitude.
DeletePolitics aside, The Once And Future Resident's short stint at a fast food restaurant was marketing and strategic brilliance.
I suppose this deals a lot with your perceptions of humbling yourself. Like you, I find it easier to humble myself when in the presence of someone superior in some way. However, I think I can be humble even if I am clearly superior, not by how I lower myself beneath them but by how I don't raise myself above them. I try to show everyone I meet how much I value them regardless of my elevation or theirs.
ReplyDeleteEd, the art of showing value to all is a true practice of humility. Sadly, I struggle far more with this than I should.
Delete"And yet, I wonder if God's true measure of our humility is how humble we are to the lowliest person in our lives."
ReplyDeleteI think this IS the measure, TB. "...Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." - Matthew 25:40
Sobering. And convicting. I'm am so very glad mercy accompanies that measuring stick.
I am grateful for the mercy as well, Becki. Lord knows I have more than my own set of issues here.
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