Humility
“What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world
but suffers the loss of his eternal soul?"
--Matthew 16:26
Many of us spend our adult lives seeking money, power, and fame. If we are successful, the pursuit becomes even more exciting and important. We devote more time to the chase and bring greater enthusiasm to the effort. Ultimately, some of us lose sight of who or what helped bring us to the top of the mountain. The goods of this world replace wisdom, justice, mercy. Until the inevitable challenges of life catch up: failure, accidents, the death of a loved one, old age, our own failing health. Then one is left bereft and in need of an alternate model of reality.
The Bible and other holy books offer a different path. Luke’s gospel perhaps teaches best about other things in life that are more important than worldly success. Throughout his gospel Luke stresses the freedom and liberation which come from living simply and humbly, in right relationship with others, under the reign of God. "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" (Luke 14:11).
Jesus himself taught us how to live in His Sermon on the Mount. I first heard of this Sermon in religion class in the second grade. It never left me, even in the years I stopped going to church. I recall my early experience with this prayer in Surprise Journey, my newly published spiritual memoir:
“From time to time, I would remind myself of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, the biblical passage that captivated me as a child:
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
or theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
or they shall inherit the earth.
(Matthew 5:3-5)
Who was this voice that spoke such profound truths about the world? The pull toward the counterintuitive teachings of Jesus never left my heart, even as it left my head and my conscious attention.” (Surprise Journey: A Spiritual Memoir by Josefina J. Card)
What does Jesus mean when he talks about the poor in spirit who will rejoice in the kingdom of heaven and the meek who will inherit the earth? The spiritual discipline of humility is the practice of recognizing our personal limitations regardless of where we are or how well we are doing in life. We all have weaknesses and imperfections. We are all dependent on God for everything. It is important to align ourselves with God's will and purpose for our lives. My blog co-author James Peterson describes humility in this beautiful haiku poem:
By humility
You see yourself as you are.
That will set you free.
Practicing humility involves being honest about our shortcomings and failures, seeking forgiveness and reconciliation when necessary. It means being willing to serve and support others in a spirit of love and compassion. It means humbling oneself before God, thereby experiencing a deeper sense of connection, intimacy, and communion with the divine and with fellow human beings. Here are some ways to practice humility. Try one practice a day until it becomes a habit:
1. Listen actively: Instead of always trying to be the one talking or having the last word, practice active listening. Show genuine interest in what others have to say and be open to learning from their perspectives.
2. Admit mistakes: We all make mistakes, and it's important to acknowledge them when they happen. Instead of trying to cover them up or shift blame, take responsibility and learn from the experience.
3. Seek feedback: Ask for feedback from others, both at home and at work, to understand how you can improve and grow. Be open to constructive criticism and use it as an opportunity for self-improvement.
4. Show appreciation: Express gratitude for the help and support you receive from others. Acknowledge their contributions and show that you value their efforts.
5. Share credit: When you achieve success, share the credit with those who helped you along the way. Recognize the contributions of others and celebrate their achievements as well.
6. Serve others: Look for opportunities to help and support others, both at home and at work. Practice acts of kindness and generosity to show that you care about the well-being of those around you.
7. Practice empathy: Put yourself in the shoes of others and try to understand their perspectives and feelings. Show compassion and empathy towards others, even in challenging situations.
If every member of a family practiced humility daily, the home would transform. If every employee in a company practiced humility daily, the workplace would transform. If every member of every community practiced humility daily, the world would transform. The Kingdom of God would reign on this earth. Humility is a pathway to the divine.
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