Putting Humble Back in Humility

Take a Bite of Humble Pie

A recent article in Rolling Stone magazine sparked a fire in my heart regarding humility. It’s a cover story regarding an in-depth interview with U2’s Bono. In the context of humility, Bono says, “Humility is a genuine sense of your place in the universe and understanding that it is OK to play a quiet, supportive role in the lives of others. Greatness as a person comes from not pursuing it.”

If you think about it, what Bono says really ties in with what the Apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:5 – “And all of you, serve each other in humility, for ‘God opposes the proud but favors the humble.’” Also, with what Paul wrote in Philippians 2:3-4 — “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

At the same time, I’d been reading the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. I’ve probably read the account well over 30 times and have heard numerous sermons about his life. The one thing that stuck out to me this time around was Joseph’s humility. Joseph is an interesting study. As we read the entire account (Genesis Chapters 37-50) we see that Joseph was a shepherd, a slave, a convict, and finally a ruler…in that order. He was the 2^nd youngest of 12 sons of Jacob. He was his father’s favorite (even though most parents today say they don’t have favorites!) and that didn’t bode well with his other brothers…especially when his father gave him that special multi-colored robe. It says in Genesis 37 that his brothers couldn’t even say a kind word to Joseph. It seems like Joseph was young and naïve without much of a filter. It also seems that God had to purge Joseph of his youthful zeal by allowing the events that followed in his life to bring humility and dependency.

I also sense that Joseph got a life-lesson in pride when he shared his dream with his brothers: “Listen to this dream,” he said. “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!” (Genesis 37:6-7) Hmmm…maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to share that with older brothers who didn’t like him that much in the first place! When he shared the dream with them, they obviously weren’t very happy about it! They thought he was saying that he would rule over them. So, they decided first to kill him, but upon further thought, realized it would be better to sell him into slavery. Maybe, just maybe, if Joseph wasn’t so proud to share that dream, and he didn’t learn humility through many trials over many years, his family would have never been blessed the way they were by the end of the story. Truly God’s ways are not our ways.

If we fast-forward Joseph’s story of slavery, imprisonment, false accusations, integrity, positive attitudes, humility, non-vengeful behavior, leadership, dream interpretations, and obedience, we see how he reacts to the way his brothers formerly treated him and how God used it all for the blessings of his family when God raised him up to be the most powerful man in Egypt, save Pharaoh (Genesis 41):

Genesis 50:19-21 — “¹⁹But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? ²⁰You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. ²¹No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.”

Wow…talk about humility!! Through all his years of humiliation and ultimate exaltation, Joseph was able to say to his brothers with all integrity and humility, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”

Chuck Swindoll once wrote about greatness and humility, “Greatness is not revealed in one-time grand actions but in daily positive attitudes. If you’re under the impression you are going to be great because of some great action but you harbor wrong attitudes, you’re in for a terrible jolt. Greatness comes from a sweet spirit, humility, forgiveness, and support for fellow human beings.”

One of the things that I learned about humility a long time ago was this: As soon as you realize you’re humble, you’re no longer humble…pride creeps in to make you proud of your humility. Once again, “Greatness as a person comes from not pursuing it.”

Some humbling thoughts…

•  2Samuel 22:28 — “You rescue the humble, but Your eyes watch the proud and humiliate them.”

• Proverbs 11:2 — “Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

• Proverbs 15:33 — “Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.”

• Luke 14:11 — “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Jesus

• Colossians 3:12 — “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

There are stories after stories in the Bible of how God blesses and restores those who humble themselves before Him. Listen to what God does for those who are humble: He leads, rescues, hears, guides, cares for, supports, crowns with victory, is gracious to, fills with fresh joy, blesses, provides inheritance of the earth, exalts, delivers from enemies, and ultimately enables one to see God!

Brennan Manning once wrote, "What is humility? It is the stark realization and acceptance of the fact that I am totally dependent upon God’s love and mercy. It grows through a stripping away of all self-sufficiency."

Those statements beg a few questions: Am I absolutely, totally, unequivocally, dependent on God’s love and mercy? Do I really understand the depth of His absolute and unconditional love He sacrificially expressed to me on the cross? Do I really believe that His mercy far outweighs and removes all the sin-soaked stains in my life? Are His love and mercies really that simple?! “Simple?” you ask. Yes, they are that simple. Yet so very profound. Oh friend, let those truths soak in!

And what about all my self-sufficiency? Am I really willing to “put on the altar” all the things I am naturally good at in order to allow His power to work in and through me so that my weaknesses shine because only He can get the credit and the glory?! Oh yes. I would much rather be an empty vessel for Him to fill, an empty canvas on which He can paint, a lump of clay that He can mold, or a piece of dirt that He can breathe His life into.

Yes Lord, strip me away from me to total nakedness only to be clothed with the person of Jesus. No matter how cold it gets. No matter how much I try to cover myself. No matter how much I try to draw myself to the wrong fire of desire.

Please God…be patient and let not my self-sufficiency clothe me with garments that will get singed or wear out. Only in my nakedness will I be truly humble.