I was reminded the other day of a characteristic of Christ that I had not read or heard of lately.
I am gentle
and humble in heart
(Matthew 11:29)
The characteristics of God, of Jesus, are woven through the New and Old Testament. There is narrative, story, behind these characteristics, both to show us who God is, as well as to teach us what characteristics we should aim to attain, in an effort to follow the model of Jesus.
This one caught my eye, because … it is so not what we often portray, what we teach, how we live.
The more proper translation is “I am gentle and meek of heart” but in our world the word ‘meek’ is often viewed as weak word … describing a negative nature, rather than humble, describing a chosen approach to life.
It is in that idea of a chosen approach to life and leadership that I can appreciate, respect and follow the example of Christ.
Jesus is not weak. For anyone who works to live humbly knows the efforts … selfless efforts, it takes to live in the direction of humility as opposed to the opposite, pride.
Proverbs 16:18 reminds us that “pride goes before a fall/destruction.”
Whereas Proverbs 15:33 tells us, “before honor is humility.”
Then, in Proverbs 3:34 we are given the contrast of the two, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Pride is the complete opposite of humility. They are incongruous to each other. One cannot be humble of heart, if pride lives there. The only inoculation that exists for pride, is an increase of humility.
Pride says I.
Humility says you.
Pride whispers we.
Humility speaks of they.
Pride shouts mine.
Humility says yours.
Pride speaks to the individual.
Humility speaks to community.
Pride keeps.
Humility shares, gives.
“True humility is not thinking less of yourself;
it is thinking of yourself less.”
C.S. Lewis
itsawonderfilledlife 