Humility is… Self-forgetfulness.
This week, we’re diving into the topic of humility. The best definition of humility I have found is from Brant Hansen:
“Real humility isn’t about putting yourself down or pretending your performance is substandard at everything you try. Real humility lies in self-forgetfulness.”
Self-forgetfulness. What a radical thought! It’s almost the exact opposite of what the world teaches us. Social media, advertisements, and even education–all of it is about my dreams, my plans, my career, my feelings.
The Bible says this about humility:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves – Philippians 2:3 NIV
Do NOTHING out of selfish ambition. Nothing. That’s not much.
And, value others above yourself.
Note that it doesn’t say “value yourself less”, but it says “value others higher.”
If we claim to be humble by putting ourselves down, not making a “big deal” out of our accomplishments, downplaying our influence or refusing to accept compliments so we appear humble, the truth is we’re still making it about us.
The whole point of humility is that we don’t think about ourselves, but about others, and ultimately about God.
C.S. Lewis describes a humble man as:
He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.
Jesus was the embodiment of perfect humility. He humbled himself to the point of death. He considered our salvation of higher value than His own life.
“He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” – Philippians 2:7-8 NIV
Take a moment to reflect on your thoughts. How much of your day is spent thinking about yourself? About how you look, how others perceive you or how you deserve to be treated?
I know, this is a confronting question. I feel it too!
We are all wired and constantly encouraged by society to be consumed with ourselves. Humility doesn’t come naturally; it is a choice we need to make to be more like Jesus and a virtue we can cultivate in our lives.
Keep reading the coming days, and we’ll work on it together.🤝🏽
