Ever had to eat Humble Pie? It usually arrives when you are full of yourself. Who ever feels like a piece? And if you don’t eat it, it ends up all over your face… and everyone sees it as hypocrisy.
We know when someone has been on a diet of Humble Pie. There is just something about them that glows, inspires, and touches our hearts. We recognise genuine humility when we see it. We usually can back up that intuition when we discover the road in which they walked was one where they endured a hardship that brought them to lowly places. The life they have lived, endured, and pressed through validates their humility.
People like Nelson Mandela. Need I say more?
And very recently, Anna Bligh, Premier of Queensland. Not a popular politician in the State. But the recent devastating floods and Cyclone Yasi thrust her into the unenviable position of guiding and leading people through the crisis. She was humbled by the daunting task and pressed on with the media capturing her every move. Her ability to muster the different resources to support and unite as a team became evident. And at no point did Anna Bligh need to brag about what she was doing, or try and grandstand in the light of media attention. Grace prevailed and people responded.
He (God) mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
Proverbs 3:34But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.”
James 4:6
And then there was the most holiest and most powerful voice that ever spoke with humility. Jesus Christ.
“… learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:29ff
Nelson Mandela, Anna Bligh and Jesus Christ know this:
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
1 Peter 5:6Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
James 4:10
Humility is the path that gives God the permission to lift you up, show you favour and give rest to your souls at the time when you are most desperate.
The first bite of the pie is hard to take… it is usually bitter in our mouth. But swallow it and the aftertaste is sweet.
Humility must start with the first bite. You could wait until it is thrust upon you… or you could begin to taste it right now.