Humble Pie

I was embarrassed...

I offered someone some help and was misunderstood...

I apologized...

But it didn't help...

Well...

Self serving, that's what I was accused of. I was taken by surprise, and after some reflection I was able to see my error in thinking, therefore my error in behavior.

Have you ever been guilty of thinking of yourself more than thinking of others? I have.

Sometimes by sheer effort and other times by sheer mistake.

Max Lucado, in his book "A Love Worth Giving", speaks to the issue many of us struggle with. His words of wisdom have been ones I've repeated many times...

"True Humility is not thinking lowly of yourself but thinking accurately of yourself. The humble heart does not say, “I can’t do anything.”But rather, “I can’t do everything.I know my part and am happy to do it.”

When Paul writes “consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3 NIV, emphasis mine), he uses a verb that means “to calculate,” “to reckon.”The word implies a conscious judgment resting on carefully weighed facts.To consider others better than yourself, then, is not to say you have no place; it is to say that you know our place.“Don’t cherish exaggerated ideas of yourself or your importance, but try to have a sane estimate of your capabilities by the light of the faith that God has given to you” (Romans 12:3 Phillips).

Max's words are difficult but not impossible.

The next time you find yourself soaking in self-pity, stop, it's not helpful

When you find yourself with a little nose trouble, that you are looking down it at others you feel are less than you, stop, it's overrated.

Along the way, if you see someone who needs a little encouragement, jump in. It's not "below them" posture you taking, it's actually following the example of a simple carpenter, and his life changed the world.

Till next week...