Recently I received a letter from a person I had not heard from in over 25 years. To my amazement, his dispatch contained 43 references to himself as he chronicled his many impressive accomplishments.
Then, without warning, the communication abruptly ended with his signature. Not one inquiry about my family or me. It would appear that his letter evidenced an amazing degree of
SELF-CENTEREDNESS.
Ever observe how people crowd their way into an elevator or onto a bus? Or jump up to be the first to get off an airplane? Or leave their McDonalds Hamburger tray un-bussed?
SELF-CENTEREDNESS.
And what about conversations? Amazing, is it not, the verbal dexterity people will employ to insure that the focus of the interchange somehow centers on them?
SELF-CENTEREDNESS.
By contrast, HUMILITY IS FOCUSING ATTENTION ON OTHERS.
HUMBLE people have a quiet, softness about them. They step to the back of the crowd. They quietly pick up other's bags. They defer. They are unpretentious. They remain unperturbed at being inconvenienced. They are humble folk who are likable and easy to be around.
By contrast, PRIDE has a stiff, arbitrary quality about it. Like bumping into a fire plug: There's no give. It's bruising. Always right.
Ponder St. Paul's admonition on HUMILITY:
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit. In humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4)
In His humility Jesus gave up all His rights, and He calls us to do exactly the same:
"If any man wants to follow in my footsteps, he must give up all right to himself… and keep close behind me… the Son of Man himself has not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life to set many others free." (Luke 9:23; Mark 10:45 – Phillips)
HUMILITY THEN IS FOCUSING ATTENTION ON OTHERS. THE QUESTION IS, "ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE?" "Enjoy Your Coffee"
Michael Stanley
Facts of the Matter: Daily Devotionals.
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