Walking with the Wise #458: The Humility Pursuit

“Don’t demand an audience with the king

or push for a place among the great.

It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table

than to be sent away in public disgrace.”

—Proverbs 25:6-7 (NLT)

Humility—one of the forgotten words in our modern vernacular. It’s one of those things that is esteemed in theory, but seldom practiced in life. We value it when we see it in others, but we have a hard time being humble ourselves.

In our paparazzi culture, where sound bites and juicy tidbits of gossip and the sinful practices of the famous are splattered across websites and TV shows, the emphasis placed on the physical is overwhelming—the beautiful and the strong, the talented and vulgar, are celebrated like never before. History has seen its share of proverbial rock stars, but never have they been more available and venerated across such a broad spectrum. Character has taken a backseat to celebrity, and the rallying cry of the culture comes from the voyeuristic populace rather than the virtues esteemed by the ancients.

In such a world as ours, where the outer man has been celebrated to the detriment of the inner, and accomplishment and accumulation have become the great determinants of self-worth, we find ourselves adrift on the tumultuous sea of self—without hope, anchor or compass.

Where can we turn? Since the self is continually shifting and limited, we must find a constant. And the only true constant is Jesus Christ. He is the only one in the entire universe who can be our anchor, compass, hope, purpose and life. Everything else might claim to provide the aforementioned, but He is the only one who can deliver. He is our ever-constant and the one by whom we find safety, security, hope, purpose and meaning. Considering ourselves in relation to Him, we see His humility, compassion and servant’s heart. In His life and teaching we see the epitome of being humble in heart. Instead of seeking power, prestige, fame or fortune, He preached and practiced true and lasting humility. Consider the parable He told to those who had been invited to a wedding feast. Instead of humbly seeking the place of servitude and humility, they sought the seat of greatest honor. Jesus said,

“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him,” and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted”—Luke 14:7-11.

Jesus humbled Himself—in far greater ways than we can imagine. Humility is magnified all the more when we consider the station, accomplishment, power, position or prestige of the person humbling himself. And with Jesus, His humility is truly breathtaking and awe-inspiring. Just read the description of Jesus that Paul gives:

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross”—Philippians 2:5-8.

God humbling Himself—the Creator taking on the clothing of His creation, the Giver of life experiencing the intolerable pain of death, the Savior becoming a servant—is unbelievable. Nevertheless, He is our example and though it is hard, if we follow Him wholeheartedly in dependent faith, we are guaranteed a position of victory. Humble yourself, seek not the things of this world nor what it esteems. Instead, be like the Savior who bought you, taking up your cross, dying to yourself, and living the resurrection life of Jesus as it has been given to you by the Spirit through your faith in Him. Amen.