Recently I received a letter from a person I had not heard from in over 25 years. To my amazement, his dispatch contained 43 references to himself as he chronicled his many impressive accomplishments.
Then, without warning, the communication abruptly ended with his signature. Not one inquiry about my family or me. It would appear that his letter evidenced an amazing degree of
SELF-CENTEREDNESS.
Ever observe how people crowd their way into an elevator or onto a bus? Or jump up to be the first to get off an airplane? Or leave their McDonalds Hamburger tray un-bussed?
SELF-CENTEREDNESS.
And what about conversations? Amazing, is it not, the verbal dexterity people will employ to insure that the focus of the interchange somehow centers on them?
SELF-CENTEREDNESS.
By contrast, HUMILITY IS FOCUSING ATTENTION ON OTHERS.
HUMBLE people have a quiet, softness about them. They step to the back of the crowd. They quietly pick up other’s bags. They defer. They are unpretentious. They remain unperturbed at being inconvenienced. They are humble folk who are likable and easy to be around.
By contrast, PRIDE has a stiff, arbitrary quality about it. Like bumping into a fire plug: There’s no give. It’s bruising. Always right.
Ponder St. Paul’s admonition on HUMILITY:
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit. In humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.“(Philippians 2:3-4)
In His humility Jesus gave up all His rights, and He calls us to do exactly the same:
“If any man wants to follow in my footsteps, he must give up all right to himself… and keep close behind me… the Son of Man himself has not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life to set many others free.“(Luke 9:23; Mark 10:45 – Phillips)
HUMILITY THEN IS FOCUSING ATTENTION ON OTHERS. THE QUESTION IS, “ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE?”
StopAndPrayTV 
Jesus is the most humble person in all history. He was God but took on flesh, spent time with his Heavenly Father and was obedient even to drinking the cup filled with everyone’s sin, when he was sinless. His love has no boundaries or limits. He took our punishment and all the shame of the cross for each one of us. He was separated from his Father on the cross bearing our sins. He was obedient to give his life for everyone. Before going to the cross he took the role of servant and washed all of his disciples feet. It was all about pleasing his Father and doing good. He thought about others and asked the Father to forgive the ones who crucified him. True humility is power under control. Jesus demonstrates humility.
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Amen.
Thank you for sharing.
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You’re welcome!
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🙂
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