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 given everything into His hands, that He had come from God, and that He was going back to God. So He got up from supper, laid aside His robe, took a towel, and tied it around Himself. Next, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around Him.” [Vs 3-5 HCSB]
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. “For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you. I assure you: A slave is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” [Vs 15-17 HCSB]
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 to serve others … even performing the lowliest of tasks … and in that we will find true blessings.
