HUMILITY? NO THANKS
Thomas Wheeler, CEO of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company was driving with his wife when they stopped to buy gas. After Wheeler filled their tank, he went inside and noticed his wife was engaged in an animated conversation with the attendant. As they drove away he asked if she knew the man. His wife acknowledged they had seriously dated in college, and had even considered marriage.
Wheeler couldn’t help bragging a little. “You were sure lucky I came along. If you’d married him, you’d be the wife of a gas station attendant instead of the wife of a CEO.”
She shot right back, “Dear, if I’d married him, he’d be the CEO and you’d be the gas station attendant!”
At times we all need a good lesson in humility. A reminder that all our areas of pride—whether talents, good looks, intelligence, or wealth—are gifts from God. Zechariah 2:3 instructs us to “seek humility.” No thanks, I think I’ll pass. Endure humility perhaps; or maybe even accept it. But seek humility?
Isn’t that what Jesus did? He left heaven, came to earth, lived in poverty, and died a humiliating death. One reason Jesus lived and died was to model humility for us; to reveal God’s heart, His nature.
Matthew 20: 28 gives us a glimpse into the depth of God’s humility. “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” Think about how bizarre that is. The all-powerful creator of heaven and earth, who fills the universe with His presence, humbled himself beyond measure, and became man. If anyone had the right to boss others around, Jesus did. But He chose humility. If God can do all that, do you suppose it’s not too much for us to embrace humility?
Ponder:
In what area of life do you tend to struggle with pride?
What steps can you take to embrace humility?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Matthew 20:20-28.
Dear Jesus, I’m amazed by your humility. More than anyone, You have the right to be prideful, yet you embraced a life of humility. Help me to be more like you.
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Photo courtesy of Michael Kelley