Humility: Part 2

Humility part two.

If Humility is an engagement with the truth, and we all are beggars at God’s table doesn’t that leave us as sniveling lumps of flesh quivering in fear?

Yuck.

There is a side of brilliance and glory to our humanity. There is something majestic about all of us. Each one of us is an individual creation which reflects the glory of God in a unique way. The catch to humility is to remain engaged with the truth of our brokenness and our glory- They both belong to God.

We come from God and are returning to God. All human creativity is God’s word spoken through us. There is an intimate relationship between human creativity and God’s working in the world. So celebrate your creativity! It is God’s gift to you. Glorify him by using it!

It does no service to hide away our gifts. It is not humility to say, “Oh no. I’m not very good at that.” If we are. That is false humility. That is a distortion of truth. Imagine if Michelangelo said I’m not so good, somebody else should paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Or Bach said, “Oh, the organ is not really my thing. I’m o.k. at it.”

Imagine if Jesus played down his healing power. Or Peter was falsely humble about his leadership. Or Paul about his preaching?

If you have been gifted by God. And we all have. Then live into those gifts. Do not be falsely humble, and do not be arrogant about them. Be real.

"You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (Matt. 5:13-16)

Don’t hide your light out of fear and insecurity. Your gifts are God’s and God will be there to guide you in them. We can’t all be presidents or superstars, but we each have a role to play. Humility is living into that role honestly, with all our heart and all our mind and all our strength. Go on. Be brilliant.