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The need for humility (1)
'IF ANYONE WANTS TO BE FIRST, HE SHALL BE LAST OF ALL AND SERVANT OF ALL.' MARK 9:35
Humility or being humble is a quality that Jesus had. Notice two things:
1) Although it's a Christ-like quality, humility is rarely understood or admired. There are not many leaders around today who are humble very often, and normally when they are it's because they want something (like a politician doing a photoshoot of them serving tea to OAPs because they really want votes). Admitting you're weak or helping someone is thought of as letting people take advantage of you. Too many leaders view themselves as being there to be served, after all, they have worked their way up and deserve it! If people 'high up' mix too much with the lowly 'normal people' what will their friends think? You see it even in the school yard; the geeks are there to do the homework and the rest copy it down during break. Not so, for the follower of Christ. For them humility is not a religious concept, it's a way of life.
2) We appreciate humility in others, but rarely want it for ourselves. The price is too high. Humility is not what gets us ahead, and, let's be honest, we like humble people around because they're sweet and helpful and don't threaten us. They're safe people with a nice streak that keeps them on the sidelines during our scramble to the top of the hill. We can afford to be humble after we're king. Even Christ's disciples weren't immune: 'They...discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. Sitting down, He...said to them, "If anyone wants to be first...he shall be servant of all"' (Mark 9:34-35 NAS). Do you want to become more Christ-like? Practice humility!
written by Bob Gass
'IF ANYONE WANTS TO BE FIRST, HE SHALL BE LAST OF ALL AND SERVANT OF ALL.' MARK 9:35
Humility or being humble is a quality that Jesus had. Notice two things:
1) Although it's a Christ-like quality, humility is rarely understood or admired. There are not many leaders around today who are humble very often, and normally when they are it's because they want something (like a politician doing a photoshoot of them serving tea to OAPs because they really want votes). Admitting you're weak or helping someone is thought of as letting people take advantage of you. Too many leaders view themselves as being there to be served, after all, they have worked their way up and deserve it! If people 'high up' mix too much with the lowly 'normal people' what will their friends think? You see it even in the school yard; the geeks are there to do the homework and the rest copy it down during break. Not so, for the follower of Christ. For them humility is not a religious concept, it's a way of life.
2) We appreciate humility in others, but rarely want it for ourselves. The price is too high. Humility is not what gets us ahead, and, let's be honest, we like humble people around because they're sweet and helpful and don't threaten us. They're safe people with a nice streak that keeps them on the sidelines during our scramble to the top of the hill. We can afford to be humble after we're king. Even Christ's disciples weren't immune: 'They...discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. Sitting down, He...said to them, "If anyone wants to be first...he shall be servant of all"' (Mark 9:34-35 NAS). Do you want to become more Christ-like? Practice humility!
written by Bob Gass
