Humbled By The Thought

By Cynthia Ruchti

If asked to name someone who exemplifies true humility, who would, you choose? Let’s say Jesus is off limits, because, frankly, He’s off the charts when it comes to humility. Name a contemporary. Famous or infamous.

Having a hard time? Mother Teresa came to mind, but she’s no longer a contemporary.

Why is humility such a radically obscure concept in today’s world? Why is it so foreign a thought that we struggle to think of a single living example? And how will we ever teach it to our children and grandchildren if we can’t point to someone and say, “See? Like that!”?

Someone once described humility as “allowing others to shine.” Think of movies that give insight into life with “royals.” A subject of the kingdom might bow before the king or queen and say, “I am your humble servant.” In essence, the servant is expressing his devotion to do everything in his power to make sure the king shines, to find pleasure not in establishing a name for himself but for his king, to respond not to his own needs but the king’s.

Humility in its purest form seeks to exalt another, not ourselves.

What does humility look like at the office? Not scrambling to make it abundantly clear that I did the bulk of the work on that successful project. Not fighting for recognition or promotion. Not searching for subtle ways to sabotage someone else’s career path for the sake of my own.

What does humility look like at home? Seeking the other person’s happiness above my own. Respecting my mate or my mate’s decision, even when I know without doubt I’m right. Setting aside the natural bent toward self-serving.

What does it look like at church? Cheering for God’s pet projects, even if they’re not my favorites. Loving the kind of people Jesus died to save, even if that doesn’t come naturally to me. Serving without thought of recognition or reward.

Humility? Helping others shine.

PRAYER: Father God, You taught us that humility is supposed to be normal. Second nature, because it’s Your nature. Help me place stronger value on genuine humility and live it out in practice as well as embrace it in theory.

“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble,” James 4:6 KJV.

Today’s devotional is by Cynthia Ruchti, writer and producer of the radio ministry THE HEARTBEAT OF THE HOME and current president of American Christian Fiction Writers. Cynthia’s debut novel—They Almost Always Come Home—releases from Abingdon Press in Spring 2010. Cynthia writes stories of hope that glows in the dark. www.cynthiaruchti.com.