Humility.
An elusive state of "being" that we all ruin, when we open our mouths or open our social media.
Of late, not too many folks are discussing this. I hashtaged #humility on my twitter account and not much came up. I guess its not Cool, not Hot, not really in with the IN crowd. NO ONE is talking about it on TMZ... Being Humble is NOT trending.
oddly enough.
The last couple of months, however, this elderly baby boomer has been ruminating on the Lost Art of Humility.
Where did it go?
How in the CatHair can we rediscover it?
Do we want to?
It would seem we would rather clutch our huge Super Bowl Trophy and beat our chests in glee, or clench our fists in anger, and scream "no fair" at the top of our lungs.
For me, as I struggle with the Lost Art of Humility and what to do about my own problems in this area, I consider people I might like to emulate. People of strong character, quietly exuding strength, while simultaneously making you think of the word "humble" while watching all they do.
When Tim and I were in Papua New Guinea an Australian fellow with another mission was a good friend of ours. Bill Eckerman was a brilliant bible translator who on the side built guitars and violins. One night early in our time there we were all required to sleep overnight in the bush with our families. Tim and I along with others were ill equipped to do this. I remember Bill quietly helping all of us, at the same time building the equivalent of a multilevel condo out of bush materials for his family. Unassuming, kind, funny, and humble. Bill and his wife Dianne raised their kids in the bush, finished their momentous Bible translation project in record time, and now live quietly and humbly back in their Motherland.
What about humble people in the public eye?
For sure those are getting harder and harder to come by. A couple of people that come to mind are Robin Roberts, a hardworking broadcast journalist who seems to have beaten cancer, and Kawhi Leonard a 24 year old NBA superstar who drives a 19 year old truck and shies away from the limelight. "its paid for and it runs" He uses coupons to help pay for his favorite wings,and gives lots of cash to charity. Both of them slow to anger, positive, and HUMBLE.
The last seemingly humble person I want to highlight is Ruth Samuelson, a former politician (yes amazing) pro life and environmental activist. She walked away from politics three years ago to work for a non profit that helped donors make charitable decisions. While she held political office in the state of North Carolina, she became known for her ability to "forge agreements between warring sides" While I did not personally know her, everyone I spoke to about her spoke of her with respect and love, both Democrat and Republican. Ruth died earlier this week at the age of 57, after a battle with cancer. The essence of STRENGTH AND HUMILITY. You can read about her here:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article128167464.html
And NOW: THE HUMILITY TEST!
1.Do you think and pray about how you can be humble? What are the hands and feet that go with that?
2.Do you look for people you consider to be humble? Are they mentoring you?
3.Watch humble people, they know when to speak and when to shut up. Do you?
4.I have not known a humble person that fights with people on social media, don't do it!
5.Be an example! If you don't know how to do that, here is some great input for you:)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.
An elusive state of "being" that we all ruin, when we open our mouths or open our social media.
Of late, not too many folks are discussing this. I hashtaged #humility on my twitter account and not much came up. I guess its not Cool, not Hot, not really in with the IN crowd. NO ONE is talking about it on TMZ... Being Humble is NOT trending.
oddly enough.
The last couple of months, however, this elderly baby boomer has been ruminating on the Lost Art of Humility.
Where did it go?
How in the CatHair can we rediscover it?
Do we want to?
It would seem we would rather clutch our huge Super Bowl Trophy and beat our chests in glee, or clench our fists in anger, and scream "no fair" at the top of our lungs.
For me, as I struggle with the Lost Art of Humility and what to do about my own problems in this area, I consider people I might like to emulate. People of strong character, quietly exuding strength, while simultaneously making you think of the word "humble" while watching all they do.
When Tim and I were in Papua New Guinea an Australian fellow with another mission was a good friend of ours. Bill Eckerman was a brilliant bible translator who on the side built guitars and violins. One night early in our time there we were all required to sleep overnight in the bush with our families. Tim and I along with others were ill equipped to do this. I remember Bill quietly helping all of us, at the same time building the equivalent of a multilevel condo out of bush materials for his family. Unassuming, kind, funny, and humble. Bill and his wife Dianne raised their kids in the bush, finished their momentous Bible translation project in record time, and now live quietly and humbly back in their Motherland.
What about humble people in the public eye?
For sure those are getting harder and harder to come by. A couple of people that come to mind are Robin Roberts, a hardworking broadcast journalist who seems to have beaten cancer, and Kawhi Leonard a 24 year old NBA superstar who drives a 19 year old truck and shies away from the limelight. "its paid for and it runs" He uses coupons to help pay for his favorite wings,and gives lots of cash to charity. Both of them slow to anger, positive, and HUMBLE.
The last seemingly humble person I want to highlight is Ruth Samuelson, a former politician (yes amazing) pro life and environmental activist. She walked away from politics three years ago to work for a non profit that helped donors make charitable decisions. While she held political office in the state of North Carolina, she became known for her ability to "forge agreements between warring sides" While I did not personally know her, everyone I spoke to about her spoke of her with respect and love, both Democrat and Republican. Ruth died earlier this week at the age of 57, after a battle with cancer. The essence of STRENGTH AND HUMILITY. You can read about her here:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article128167464.html
And NOW: THE HUMILITY TEST!
1.Do you think and pray about how you can be humble? What are the hands and feet that go with that?
2.Do you look for people you consider to be humble? Are they mentoring you?
3.Watch humble people, they know when to speak and when to shut up. Do you?
4.I have not known a humble person that fights with people on social media, don't do it!
5.Be an example! If you don't know how to do that, here is some great input for you:)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Before a downfall the heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor.
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
Humility.
The essence of this rare trait is hard to come by. When you actually get a whiff of it you will know it, my friend, by the attitude and demeanor of the bearer.
We are starved for it lately, in the actions of our country's leaders, the supporters who shamefully gloat, and the angry voice of the fisted opposition.
It makes me Weary.
It makes me Sad.
I pray daily that humility will come back to us, like a humble man that walked on this earth, long ago, not a political leader, but a Savior for all.
