It is not about You

It is not about you.  

Good Day.

All this talk about humility, and clothing ourselves in it.  As I type, I have an uppercase C, K, H, G, and P penned in dark green ink on the inside of my wrist, just above my watchband—hoping it will aid my memorization, as well as remind me that because I am chosen, and therefore holy and dearly loved, I am to clothe myself in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Apparently, this discussion—particularly on humility—has resonated with many, as I have heard from you!  Honestly, in my most recent study and examination of the whole matter of humility – I have begun to think humility is perhaps the most fundamental piece of living rightly as we are meant to live and love.  When we do as Paul suggested, and in humility, consider others better than ourselves …not operating out of selfishness or conceit … it means we think of others first.  It means we are more concerned with their feelings and well being than our own. > Friends, this impacts every area of our lives, from getting along in families and cooperating well with work associates to driving a motor vehicle in traffic, to playing on the athletic field! 

There is a beautiful story of a young man with a disability who was running in the Special Olympics.  He got to the hundred-meter race and was running like crazy for the gold medal, when he saw that one of the runners near him had slipped and fallen.  Without hesitating, he turned around and picked him up, and they ran across the finish line together … last.  Humility?

It is up to each of us to discover how he or she is called to be more fully ‘clothed in Christ’, in order to serve our brothers and sisters with love, kindness, and humility … Jesus insists that his disciples wash one another’s feet, remember?  It is an act of humility that truly expresses in a very concrete way our love and respect for others.* 

“After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded.”

His actions symbolized spiritual cleansing, but also after having washed their dirt-caked, sandled feet, he went on to teach them:

“So when he had washed their feet, taken his garments, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?  You call

me teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.  Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.  If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” From John 13

How much time do you spend serving?  And, do you do it with a cheerful heart?  You can, you know.  As our beloved Paul suggested, you might do so by singing ‘psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, (even laundry), do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.’ Here’s a little thought about serving with a cheerful heart — “Laundry, laundry, laundry . . .there is never an end!” I sometimes think.   Now, when I fold my family’s clothing, I realize it is not just for them I toil; a serving heart honors God.  And, while I am doing laundry … it is a wonderful time to pray for each person, as I match socks, fold underwear, etc.  ‘See the opportunity?  ‘See the difference in the attitude of serving? 

We cannot love well without humility, because to love another means it can’t always be about us! 

Christine

*influenced by Jean Vanier, Essential Writings