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Down on Bended Knee

Humility is not a strong suit of mine. Nor does it seem to be a big value here in the United States. Maybe false modesty, but not humility. The American dream tends to speak to being self-made, strong, virtuous, perseverant, and prideful. Needing assistance is considered an act of weakness. While praising and pointing out one's accomplishments to the world is success. The United States and its citizens (of which I am one) tend to carry themselves with a hint of arrogance. Maybe it comes with being a superpower or having so many luxuries that it gives us a sense of entitlement or superiority. Its a behavior that penetrates our daily lives, our politics, and even our faith. Maybe this happens in other countries, but since I don't live there I wont speak for them.
We can even become arrogant with our faith. Like we possess something that others don't and therefore feel superior. I have seen that in fellow Christians towards other non-Christians or other denominations. There's a certain smugness we can carry with us. Such is the way of American Christians.
Paul writes in Philippians 2: 3-4,"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others." This totally flies in the face of our inherent nature and culture.
Humility comes from the Latin humilitas (lowness, meanness, baseness). Close to the word humiliate - people don't want to feel humiliated and combine it with being the same as humility. It is commonly used to mean "modesty or lack of pride in respect to one's achievements:. This is also very hard for us.
It may seem I am painting with a broad brush here. My intention is not to bash America or American Christians. I know a bunch of humble, wonderful Christians. I am pointing out that humility is not a trait that seems to be encouraged in our society. The American dream preaches self-sufficiency, hard work, strength, intelligence, and wealth as the standard of what to be in this world. True humility tends to be the opposite of that.
Paul continues in Philippians 2: 5-11 that we are to have the same mindset as Jesus. Jesus did not consider equality with God to be used to his advantage. Rather, Jesus humbled himself, was made in human likeness, and obedient to death on the cross. God exalted Jesus and gave him the name that is above every name. Paul concludes by stating that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess Jesus as Lord to the glory of God the Father.
So, if we are following Jesus - our walk and ministry have to be similar to his. We, too, are called to be humble. Not an easy proposition as I stated earlier. Even in church, I have a hard time not pointing at the things I do to help. I co-led a bible study. I've taught the pre-school kids. I am an usher and administrator. We fall into the trap, that our good works lead somewhere and want to shout them out loud. Our good works come as a response from what God has done for us. For that, we should always be humble. Jesus did it for us - he did it for all. We are no better or worse than anyone else. We have no business feeling superior to others just because we know Jesus. Rather, our response is to reach out to others in need. Helping to reveal Jesus with our words and actions to those who are searching.
Jesus says in Luke 14:11, "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
Something to think about.

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