Finding Humility
By Rob Fields
Am I seeking a name for myself? Is it about me being in control? Do people around me see humility? Pause and really put some thought into these three questions. These are truly some key questions to ask of ourselves periodically and especially for those in leadership roles. The Spirit may reveal some areas lacking humility which may constitute the need for a readjustment of our pursuit.
While on the way to Capernaum, the disciples of Jesus were arguing over the matter of who is in charge second to the Rabbi Jesus. With the growing tenson and opposition, who would lead this group in His absence? They are discussing this matter to the point of which it becomes an argument among the group. When confronted by Jesus about the matter, they remained silent until finally a disciple asked the Master the question.
Who do you want to be in charge if something happens to you Rabbi? Jesus begins His answer by bringing a child among them to illustrate His response. He shares with them that this attitude must change towards being about prominence and position. Consider the child who does not have any of these qualities. He has no position, title, rank, or position. These are the attributes of being a citizen of His kingdom.
Followers of Jesus must listen to God and obey Him as His servants. This gives the followers of Jesus a positive pursuit in not seeking a title, position, or rank. Position is not our pursuit rather than serving God and others. Are we seeking humility through our position or just seeking the position? As the child does not seek a position, so it becomes an example for His followers.
The way of life Jesus expects of His followers is counter to our culture but is common to the King’s culture. Our pursuit as citizens in His kingdom is to seek acts centered in humility and not positions of authority. Humility is to bow in reverence or to make smaller. Jonathan Edwards, an 18th-century American theologian, philosopher, and Congregationalist minister stated this about humility. “There was no part of creature holiness that I had so great a sense of loveliness as humility, as brokenness of heart and poverty in spirit. There is nothing that I longed for more earnestly. My heart panted after this, to lie low before God as in the dust that I might be nothing and that God might be all.” It is more of Him and less of me. Allow God to bring you into the position and make your pursuit to serve Him and others. William Penn stated it this way, “O learn of Christ to be meek and lowly. Your humility will exalt Him, and will also exalt you at the last.”
Matthew 18:1-6
Our pursuit as citizens in His kingdom is acts of humility and not position of authority.
William Penn. The Harmony of Divine Doctrines. Page 38. 1822.