8.26.15–>”Some Thoughts on Humility”

Jesus washing feet

Matthew 18:4

So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Humility-A modest or low view of one’s own importance.

That old saying, “It’s not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less” is profoundly true. Humble people are always thinking of others.

We can be servants and yet not be humble. We can serve others, all the while talking about ourselves. Or about our service. Asking few questions of others, showing that we are, in reality, not all that interested in others. More interested in our service. In ourselves.

That is simply an outflow of our inner self-focus. We draw attention to our serving.

“Now that I’ve helped you, let’s talk some more about how awesome I am.”

Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.  Matthew 23:12

My workout partner said that people should be surprised to hear about the good things you do. At first I thought he meant because it is so unlike me to do kind things…since I was of course focused on me. He meant it should be a surprise because of how little attention we draw to our deeds.

Oh.

Right. I knew that.

Humility is not so concerned with self and its wants. And, hence, we see the profundity and possibility of the prayer:

I let go my desire for security and survival.

I let go my desire for esteem and affection.

I let go my desire for power and control.

Because we are fulfilled by God alone, and rest in these six as provided by Yahweh, we can humbly serve. We know who we are, therefore, we “stoop” to wash others’ dirty feet (Jn.13:3-5).

What is always in our mind? Our own comfort or others’? Being served or serving? God’s glory or our own? Being loved or loving? Our reputation or God’s?

And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5

Never let you forget some favor I did for you-because I’m tacky.

-Weird Al Yankovich

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