Humility Will Get You Everywhere

Humility Will Get You Everywhere

Submitted by Merry Bruton on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 5:09pm

Have you ever tried to work or minister with people who are ‘experts’ on every topic? They have an opinion about everything and seemingly have nothing to learn. They are excellent, proficient, and magnificent in all areas of life, even if they are just twenty years old.   

 

Their arrogance erects walls that no one can scale. They don’t stop to ask questions or listen because they know it all, and they think everyone should cherish their advice. Listening to people for understanding seems demeaning to them--a waste of their precious time. 

 

In short, they are big-headed but small-hearted.

 

It’s kind of like bragging about your musical skills (when you have had two lessons)--to a world-class musician, expecting admiration for your abilities. 

 

I know I have had my egotistical seasons, which I remember with a cringe.  The older I get, I realize that the more I learn, the more I see I need to learn.  There is always more to study and experience.  We will never know it all. 

 

So we’d best quick acting like we are The Hotshot Pro, or we will be blinded by our own en-LIGHT-enment. 

 

How many of our interactions with people would go better and earn us more favor if we made it our practice to humble down and treat people with respect and honor, assuming the best about them and not treating them like we think they ignorant morons—in comparison to us?

 

We communicate love and respect as we practice preferring others above ourselves in our speech and actions.  Serving and not promoting ourselves develops character, strength, and integrity—and gives us authority. Kindness always takes us far. We value and bless others instead of ignoring and revealing our lack of maturity loud and clear.

 

“Agree with each other, love each other,

be deep-spirited friends. 

 

Don’t push your way to the front.

Don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. 

Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. 

Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. 

Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”

 

--Philippians 2:2-4 The Message