A few years back, I attended a wedding. I went along with my college staff. As we were entering the church building, some lecturers were walking ahead of me, others behind me. Near the entrance was a gentleman who was distributing song sheets (with songs to be sung at the wedding). He handed song sheets to people entering the church. When it was my turn, I stretched my hand to receive one for myself as well. He paused, looked at me and asked “Can you sing?” If I had a ‘pride-o-meter’, the indicator would have shot up to the highest, for a moment. Meanwhile, this is what was going on in my mind: “I lead the college choir; I’ve been part of the All Souls’ Church choir; I lead worship. What made him think I can’t sing? Is he judging by looks?” One voice said, “Walk on without replying. It’s an insult! You only miss a song sheet.” The other voice said, “Who are you after all? Who gave you the gift of singing? Tell him you can sing. It is OK to be insulted.” After a moment of struggle, I chose to obey the latter voice. I calmly replied to him, “Yes, I can sing.” Again, I stretched my hand and this time, he gave me a song sheet.
It could seem like a very small thing. But, our response to such ‘small things’ matter a lot. Such situations actually reveal our true colours. I used to think I am humble enough. Only when put to test did I realise there is so much of pride in me! One of my favourite quotes: “Humility is a funny thing. The moment you think you’ve got it, you’ve lost it.” How true!
My definition of humility used to be “not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” If all I can think about is myself - me, my comfort, my problems, I have pride! Later I learnt this: “Humility is not thinking of yourself at all.” But, how can we possibly do that? If we are occupied with thinking about the interests of others (Philippians 2:4) and that of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:21), we cannot be proud and selfish. That way, we won’t even think “I’ve become humble enough!”
Christ Himself is the perfect example of humility. It amazes me that being in very nature God, He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Philippians 2:6,7)
He exhibited His humility by:
I could go on with the list....
May we be imitators of Christ and His attitude, of course, with His strength. Meekness is not weakness. In fact, it takes God's strength.
It could seem like a very small thing. But, our response to such ‘small things’ matter a lot. Such situations actually reveal our true colours. I used to think I am humble enough. Only when put to test did I realise there is so much of pride in me! One of my favourite quotes: “Humility is a funny thing. The moment you think you’ve got it, you’ve lost it.” How true!
My definition of humility used to be “not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” If all I can think about is myself - me, my comfort, my problems, I have pride! Later I learnt this: “Humility is not thinking of yourself at all.” But, how can we possibly do that? If we are occupied with thinking about the interests of others (Philippians 2:4) and that of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:21), we cannot be proud and selfish. That way, we won’t even think “I’ve become humble enough!”
Christ Himself is the perfect example of humility. It amazes me that being in very nature God, He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Philippians 2:6,7)
He exhibited His humility by:
- Being born as a baby and becoming vulnerable
- Being born in a manger, not in a palace
- Being obedient to His earthly parents, though He was God
- Talking to and feasting with ‘sinners’
- Obeying the laws of the land (He did not claim tax exemption because He was God!)
- Being quiet when people called him ‘just a man’ and when people insulted Him
- Not taking revenge against those who wanted to kill him
- Relating to you and me and calling us His children!
I could go on with the list....
May we be imitators of Christ and His attitude, of course, with His strength. Meekness is not weakness. In fact, it takes God's strength.
