Merriam-Webster.com defines humble as not proud or haughty: not arrogant or assertive. I think humble is one of the hardest words to define. I think even Merriam-Webster found it difficult to define because they simply tell us what being humble is not. It’s not pride nor arrogance. So, what is it?
I’ve heard being humble defined as “not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.” That helps a little, but perhaps being humble is best defined with an example. And the best example is found in John 13: “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” [Vs 2-5 NIV]
Jesus knew … He knew that all power in heaven and earth was given to Him. He knew He had come from God and was soon returning to God. He knew who He was, the Son of God, the Almighty Creator of all things. So, what does He do? He performs for his disciples the task of the lowliest slave in that society, that of washing dirty feet. He then tells them that He is giving them an example of what true humility is. “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” [Vs 15-17 NIV]
We are not to ignore or discount who we are, or the talents or abilities we possess. We are not to “pretend” to be anything other than what we are. We are, however, to use everything we are and everything we have in order to serve others … even performing the lowliest of tasks … and in that we will find true blessings.
