Blog

Humaning? My word for doing life and living around other people.

It is what is being lost as society further embraces the ideology of deconstruction, as technology replaces jobs previously held by humans, and as connection is sacrificed on the altar of ‘my opinion’.

Jesus gave us a distinctive vision for humaning. He highlighted two keys that are no small thing when hopelessness, lack of direction, deconstruction and affluence are powerful forces flinging themselves around liberally.

His vision for humaning would require of us learning to manage two attributes that not only Jesus himself but anyone who has ever made a positive contribution to the world and changed human history for the better, had to get victory over. They are the very heart of excellence in leadership and being fun to be around.

WHAT ARE THE KEYS?

For any of us to navigate what comes next on the timeline of God, we are going to have to get mastery over pride and our emotions. 

It is the management of these two aspects that are the most prized keys, not only in the Kingdom of God but in the world of some of the most successful people. 

Ken Sande founder of Peacemaker Ministries made this assessment of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln and leader who ushered in the Emancipation Proclamation that declared slaves forever free in the USA. He said,

“Like few men the world has ever known, Lincoln proved that a leader’s first and most important victory must always be over his pride. This victory was secured largely by his ability to manage his emotions.”1.

Leo Tolstoy made an incredible claim about Lincoln when he wrote in The World (1909), “The greatness of Napoleon, Caesar or Washington is only moonlight by the sun of Lincoln. His example is universal and will last thousands of years… He is bigger than his country- bigger than all the Presidents together…and as a great character he will live as long as the world lives.” 

Victory over pride and managing emotion.

As we manage these it gives way to a superior way of humaning. Humility and discipline are birthed in us allowing us to see the value in those around us. Humility and managing our emotions, shift us out of reducing ourselves and others to just objects and things to be manipulated, contested and crushed. They qualify us to lead and make us more hopeful, more successful, more wise as we approach others and our decisions. 

THE HEART OF IT ALL

I can’t help but think that the heart of someone who has victory over pride and has learnt to manage their emotions is so well articulated in Daniel 6. 

”It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty princes, to be over the whole kingdom; and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the princes might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss.” (Daniel 6:1-2)

“So that the king would suffer no loss”. God entrusts much to those whose heart is about the king suffering no loss. 

When we make it about ourselves and not the King we serve, pride has just made the focus on me suffering no loss. And in that moment, who is King just switched seats. 

FOUR WAYS TO WORK TOWARDS VICTORY OVER PRIDE AND BUILD HUMILITY:

1. Say sorry when you make a mistake 
2. Pray for others, be interested in others. It’s not all about you.
3. When you feel humiliated by others or convicted by Holy Spirit, choose curiosity and humility
4. Receive correction and influence from people you respect. You are not right all the time. You are human. 

References:

1. K. Sande, Lincoln’s Relational Wisdom, https://rw360.org/2018/03/05/politics-pride-and-emotion-2/