While I have broached this subject lightly in the past, I would like to take today’s time to think more specifically about how this comes about in a believer’s mind/heart. Humility is not something that a person is just born with, has or one day obtains. I feel like it is something we learn through the school of hard knocks – or if you would prefer through a number of hasty, dumb or downright stupid decisions. We all make them, it is just a matter of how we respond to them. If we follow the normal learning path then those “less than smart” decisions really help us get “smarter.” The older we get, the more profound the impact of those decisions – and of course, the greater learning capacity. I just feel sorry for those on the outside looking in, as they might not view it in quite the same way!

The dictionary defines humility as: a modest or low view of one’s importance. In today’s society this particular mindset is probably not one of the most admired. High profile winners are those who pump their fist, display anger or rowdiness or raise their hands in victory which seems to bring great pleasure to the crowd of onlookers, regardless of size. The reality is that the moment comes and goes quickly. The problem is that many want to recall it, promote it and eventually make it bigger than it might be in reality. The fact is that events occur, but they are not the totality of the person’s life nor do they represent the person as a whole. They may define what we perceive the person to be, but there is much more to the individual than a single or even multiple accomplishments.

In Numbers 12:3 we see that: “Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.” It would be hard to dispute that Moses is one of the most revered people in the history of mankind. His accomplishments as well as his relationship with God are enviable. Yet, he made some “less than smart” decisions like not circumcising his sons, killing a taskmaster, telling God he wasn’t capable of communicating, and directly disobeying God. In each case God used his wife, Pharaoh, his brother and the punishment of being denied entry into the promised land to keep him humble. God had to make sure Moses kept things in context and did not let his fame, respect by others and the terror of other nations impact his self-image or standing before the living God.

In order for us humans to keep things in context there has to be balance. YES, God wants to bless us. YES, God wants us to prosper. YES, God wants us to experience hope and joy. But, we also must remember that it is HE who blesses, prospers and plants the hope and joy inside our minds. The victories are there to remind us that He loves us and wants us to experience the fullness of His love. The failures are there to remind us that the victories were not something we did on our own – they were empowered with and through His spirit to see how we would respond. To claim personal victory, even if it is an Olympic medal after years of grueling work, is to deny that God gave you the health, mental acuity and a disciplined mind to achieve that objective. You have to have the capacity to achieve any objective and that capacity originates with the Creator – NOT the individual.

Keep this in mind, kids – Failure is success if you learn from it. Pain is good because it tells you something is wrong. No, means you are closer to YES! Keep things in context and remember that you will always be more, have more and be able to give more if you maintain a humble mindset. Don’t ever get to the point of feeling like God got a great deal with you and you should be “this or that.” Let God do the exalting – he is much better than any victorious picture, publication or news clip. He can impact people’s minds and hearts. The world can only tell a story and the story is better told by others than yourself.

Love Dad