Little, less, least

written by Stephan Joubert

Does humility matter? I mean is it important for people who follow Christ to not be concerned only about themselves all the time and to not try and advance themselves in selfish ways? I spent a couple of weeks with a group of people in the USA. Among others, we spent some time with George Barna. He told us that humility measures the lowest with spiritual leaders in the States. Barna tested a list of 20 character traits among leaders in one of his studies. Throughout it seemed that characteristics related to true Biblical humility was right at the bottom of the list.

We could spend hours speculating why humility registers so low on Christians' priorities, but maybe it is because power impresses us more than fragility and brokenness. We would much rather be amazons and power men for the Lord than defenseless servants. We want to deliver power performances for God, rather than to ensure that our left hand forgets what our right hand is doing in his Name.

Humility is not to be sorry for being alive. Humility is to know your place before God and others, and to live from that place. Humility, in the words of 1 Peter 5 and James 4 is to be nothing at God's feet. When you become like clay in God's hand He will allow your heart to become like that of a servant — but then and only then. Only then you can become free of the never-ending addiction to yourself.

Regards

Stephan Joubert