Thursday, April 29, 2010

Renewal is a humbling experience

True Humility

"A man's pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor."1

Many people in transitional organizations suffer from a humbling experience . Change creates uncertainty and fear. This can be a good thing. Humility is not necessarily a bad thing.
 
"Tony Campolo tells of preaching a really good sermon in his preaching class in seminary. Campolo felt pretty proud of his outline, his arguments, and his delivery. He felt pretty proud of himself—until he read his professor's comments at the bottom of the page: 'You can't convince people that Jesus is wonderful and you're wonderful in the same sermon.'"2

I recall hearing a somewhat heated discussion between a church member and his minister. I couldn't help but overhear the member all but shouting, "I tell you, I AM humble!" The trouble is if I have to tell you how humble I am, already I've lost it.

Humility, however, is not degrading or putting yourself down or hanging your head in a false kind of shame. That's insecurity. True humility is having a realistic evaluation of yourself, recognizing your gifts, abilities, and strengths and being grateful to God for them—and putting all these gifts to good use in serving God and others. Humility also recognizes and accepts one's weaknesses and, with God's help, does something about overcoming them.
 
Humility is a stimulant for change for tbetter ideas and strengths in ones self .. "He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions." .Alcott .
 
We have come a long way this year Brothers.

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