Hungry For Humility?

Opening Thoughts

I’ve done some impressive things in my life. I’ve also done some things that are not. The unimpressive things outnumber the former; and they stay with me always, living right beneath the surface. They remind me of the war being waged between pride and humility. Humility needs encouragement to keep advancing, to be victorious in combat. 

Some Of My Impressive Things

1. Within a small High School context I was an accomplished athlete.
2. I did a 3-day seminar for a church of 12,000 in Fujian Province, China.
3. Many years ago I was active in Tae Kwon Do, rising to 3rd degree black belt.
4. I’ve served as MC at fund raising events for national organizations.
5. I was a member of a Christian drama group that toured nationally. 

Some Of My Unimpressive Things

1. I backed out of the garage with the car door open, the door didn’t make it.
2. In the attic, I’ve twice stepped through the ceiling: same house & same year.
3. In my life, I’ve set fire to a fence, kitchen cabinets, and seven cotton trailers.
4. I changed the car oil, from the ground, right under the filter, and got soaked. 
5. I drove a farm tractor at its highest speed and tried to make a turn, it didn’t. 

Some More Unimpressive Things

1. I’ve missed flights for being at the wrong gate, have done it several times. 
2. I’ve cut through the power cords while using electric saws, several times. 
3. I filled the gas tank with diesel, it was full before I realized what I had done.
4. Turned the wrong way on to a one way street, was angry at the other cars. 
5. I stuck my fingers into running fan with metal blades, I still have the scars. 

On the whole, my unimpressive side looms largest. Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of the things I’ve managed to do well. And there are many. I’m proud of my wife and family, of the church I serve, and of the places domestic and foreign that I’ve been honored to serve. But there other unimpressive things too, things I’m not proud of.

God humbles the proud.

Somebody said it this way: “You can humble yourself today or God can knock you down tomorrow.” Either way, God is looking for me to surrender my pride and walk before him in humility.  

           “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility….”    Zephaniah 2:3

Shalom