By Brother Matt Henson
Louie Giglio in his book, I Am Not, But I Know I Am, shares about how we understand our part in the greater story that God is writing in the world today. Giglio writes, “We can choose to cling to starring roles in the little-bitty stories of us, or we can exchange our fleeting moment in the spotlight for a supporting role in the eternally beautiful epic that is the Story of God” (Page 15). When we take on the starring role, pride overwhelms our ability to see the greater community and the greater story. We tend to become more focused on our individuality, missing the beauty of the community.
As we continue to dress in the wardrobe God picked out for us, we are invited to put on humility. Humility is the ability to take the attention off the self and recognize the attributes, strength, and contribution of the people who are around us. Several years ago, I was introduced to the Gallup Organization’s StrengthsFinder personality instrument. The authors write about the importance of StrengthsFinder: “It’s essential not only to discover and develop your strengths as early as possible, but also to help people around you build on their natural talents (StrengthsFinder 2.0, 30). For me, it is to identify and to grow in my strengths, while recognizing there are people who are strong where I am weak. We can work together to create a greater transformative environment.
Our ability to be humble begins with self-surrender. We live out Jesus’ teaching as he stated, “The first will be last and the last will be first” (Matthew 20:16). In the Kingdom of God, humility is knowing my place and that I am participant in what God is doing. It is recognizing the people around me and not taking credit for what WE have done. When each individual is pulling in the same direction and not always pursuing “my way,” the community is made stronger and the witness is a beacon of light to the community.
Likewise, humility is relying on the power of God to give me what I need each day. When I am humble, I no longer struggle or strive because I surrender and trust. When I trust God to be my provider, my energy can be directed more toward worship, relationship, and growth. Jesus taught in the Beatitudes, “God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth” (Matthew 5:5). My inheritance through humility is the fullness of the gifts God has given me in creation, in community, and in relationship with the one who has created all things. I do not lift myself up or earn the whole earth; I receive the gift God gives to me as I am a person of humility.
The invitation is for us to see our gifts, while seeing the gifts of others. It is to recognize God’s faithfulness and trust He will provide for us. We do not have to push harder, faster, or with more energy—we must humble ourselves to allow God to be our all in all.
Prayer: Lord, I want to be a person of humility. I want to play the role you have given me in your Kingdom story. When I become too focused on self, depending on my own thoughts and demanding my own way, call me back to yourself. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
