Across the roof tops I saw Holy Spirit moving, tipping from the cup of His hand, humility. And gracefully, pricelessly it wafted down through the roofing, beams and inner walls to the assorted activities of each in the dwelling.
Some saw it
and caught it.
Others moved oblivious to it.
While more caught the glint of something, and did not know what to make of it.
Humility.
It signals an openness to God’s expanse.
It is a capacity to be open to something greater than oneself. It’s gentle yet raw power brings, “I know” to silence.
It is the orphaned virtue of our age. And does it matter that it no longer fits its confines?
Image Consultants. Social Media Profiling. Selfies. Strategic language management. I-Tube.
The things that call attention to themselves are never interesting for long. The search for significance isn’t found in self gratification or self-aggrandizement.
There is nothing noble about pride… in any of its expressions. Nothing.
This is why humility needs to be the virtue of prophets, those who feel most vividly the nearness of God.
One hero of humility was Abraham Lincoln. Not because he was perfect, not because he was famous. But because he lived for something other, something bigger than himself while not limiting himself and his gifts.
“He possessed an uncanny ability to empathize with and think about other people’s point of view. He repaired injured feelings that might have escalated into permanent hostility. He shared credit with ease. He assumed responsibility for the failure of his subordinates. He constantly acknowledged his errors and learned from his mistakes. He refused to be provoked by petty grievances. He never submitted to jealousy or brooded over perceived slights.”[1]
What a reveal of the human spirit in humility.
This is the raw power of humility. It’s the intentional wrestle from pride and arrogance towards dignity.
One never forgets meeting true humility. It is the highest gift of a lifetime. It’s fragrance lingers well past the loud abrasiveness of pompousness.
Wonder is its value. Nations its inheritance. Friend of God, its honor.
[1] Doris Kearns Goodwin, remarks during speech at the TED Conference in Monterey, California, February 2008, http://www.ted.com/talks/doris_kearns_goodwin_on_learning_from_past_presidents.html
