The joy of humility – 19 August 2022

How do you feel when someone bumps into you or moves slowly in front of you? (By the way, this often happens accidentally or unwittingly.) Do you get annoyed or angry? Have you never (accidentally) done the same to someone else?

We often get annoyed, even blazingly angry, about such incidents and sometimes remain upset about it for a long time – and start to harbour embittered thoughts. Our attitude is then in fact disgusting.

When in such situations, rather test your experience by reacting with a smile and a “no problem” or “everything is alright”, especially when the person finally moves out of your way and maybe even apologises (and perhaps even smiles back at you in response to your kindness).

That inner experience of feeling good is the direct fruit of humility and a little grace expressed towards each other. It is also one of the deeper aspects of Jesus’ love and wisdom in washing the feet of his disciples, to which he says in John 13:15, “I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you.” By acknowledging the value and beauty of others in tandem with his attitude creates inner kindness, peace, and even joy, instead of self-focusedness, self-righteousness, and selfishness.

In John 13:17, Jesus concludes, “Now that you know this truth, how happy you will be if you put it into practice!” It makes sense – if you apply it and then experience its effect – it’s a blessing.

In James 4:6b we read, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Prayer: Dear God, please let your Holy Spirit constantly keep your attitude alive in my spirit so that my actions and reactions reflect your light, love, peace and joy – in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen