Talk about Humility

By Moira Gardener and Sarah Davidson

Children automatically know how to be all about themselves and encouraging them to step back to see the bigger pictures is challenging. Humility in our culture is neither encouraged nor looked at as something positive, and is often misconstrued as grovelling. 

In actual fact, humility means being gracious by choosing to put others first and giving up what you think you deserve. It means recognizing that the needs of others are as important as our own and it opens us up to growth and love.

Humble acts come in all sizes and shapes - from the person who stands aside to let the elderly man in line at McDonalds, to the nurse who looks past an inconsiderate patient and does their job with a smile, or a waiter who listens to a customer complaint and cheerfully remedies the situation. Whether the action is small or large the bottom line is that humility is serving others with a good attitude even if they may not appreciate it.
As followers of Jesus the goal is to be like Christ. He knew if he died on the cross, the Holy Spirit would be released giving everyone the option to have Christ’s spirit inside them. He knew his action covered our sin, opening up a direct chat-line to God.

Humility is found when we step back and see things as Christ sees them, on an eternal scale.  When we serve others with kindness and love we are serving God by being his hands and feet.  It’s when we love everyone as much as we love ourselves (Mark 12:31) we can be free to shift our focus from navel gazing to unconditional love in action.

One thing to note: humility is not self-abasement it is acknowledging there is a power greater than ourselves. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking about yourself less.
How can we teach our children this? Model it, talk about it, and pray for it.

RECAP

WHAT:

Humility is putting others first by giving up what you think you deserve

WHY:

To become more Christ like and be God’s hands and feet on earth.

WHEN:

Whenever needed

WHO:

Everyone

HOW:

• Seeing the eternal picture as Christ does.
• Choosing to do the loving thing
• Serving others with a good attitude
• Model it, talk about it, and pray for it.

CHECK IT OUT

• John 18:12 – 20:23 -The Easter Story.
• Philippians 2:3 -Put others first.
• Mark 12:31 Love your neighbour as yourself. Note: Your neighbour is everyone
• Proverbs 15:33 The fear (respect) for God