Humility

The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have...Norman Vincent Peale



Tapping into another of Ben Franklin's virtues, I will undertake humility. Oh, humility...I think many have missed out because they lacked humility. An inability to stop long enough to see or acknowledge our faults, especially when pointed out by others, this may have caused us our friends. An inability to recognize authority, this may have caused us our jobs. To see the bigger picture, to lose ourselves in something bigger, this may have allowed us to miss an opportunity to serve others. I have found that those who have achieved the most fulfillment in their lives are humble. They were not to old to learn from someone younger, they weren't to rich to visit the poorest slums in Africa, they weren't too smart to sit on the carpet of a kindergarten class and be a kid.

How many times have you been called out, put on blast? You know are wrong yet because you refuse to let go of pride you refuse correction. Correction that can save your life, your finances, your soul.

You know I truly believe that God sent our children to teach us humility, and unless we are able to learn the lesson that is being taught we are in turn teaching our children not to be humble and the cycle becomes vicious and one child, turns into a family and into a community of individuals who lack humility. Are you able to apologize to your children? Let them know that they are right? Or are you incapable of receiving correction? Can correction only come from someone older? Someone who has more? Somehow do we feel that by being humble we turn into rugs and all of a sudden everyone will walk all over us?

The funny thing about humility it is one of those foundational values, if it is missing you may appear a little lopsided.

Does humility have a set of rules "Only be humble if.....
Actually there are some rules that I appreciate and hope that I can use as often as possible:

Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 18:12
Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 22:4
Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.

Zephaniah 2:3
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger.

Philippians 2:
[ Imitating Christ's Humility ] If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.