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Humble Yourselves

             Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10)

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less. (Rick Warren, The Purpose-Driven Life)

Once again, definitions are essential. Some people tend to think that being humble is wallowing in self-degradation. We are nothing. We have nothing. We have done and can do nothing. Too bad the people around us aren’t worthy of our better effort.  Humility is often another opportunity for Exhibit Me to be put on the examination table. Have I been humble? Let me look at myself to find out.

The second quote above has been attributed to C. S. Lewis, but when I looked it up to get the words right this morning, I discovered he didn’t say it. Rick Warren did. Again, however, did I think of myself less? Exhibit Me comes out again. As I contemplate this, I find myself smirking. At least if I’m crafting, cleaning, cooking, gardening, or participating in the many activities the recitation of which wearies others, I’m getting something worthwhile done, and maybe even benefitting others, while I tch-tch my way down the list of ways I may have failed to be as humble (or whatever else) as I should.  Does multitasking weaken the worthless or harmful task, or make it less of a problem? I suppose that depends on where the focus is (and probably on other things as well.)

I think Sunday’s sermon at my church put an idea in my head or drew it back to the surface like a fish on a line. Or maybe it’s like the Great White in Jaws, circling around and around, waiting for an opportunity to bite. That thought isn’t quite as fun. If you want to watch it, here’s the link (Sermon). Thought is of giving things to God and asking God for something from Him instead. “Here’s my pride, Lord. Give me some of Your humbleness.” And then let God teach you what that means.

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