This simple eight letter word stirs something in me...and it's not always good. It's hard to admit when you lack it...and when you feel like you're really making strides in this area, it makes you question your humility for thinking so much of yourself! Are you with me? Can you relate?
In this post I'm going to share some thoughts - not my own but from authors who were able to capture and communicate our struggles, challenges and perhaps even a little focus on humility much better than I could ever attempt to do. Assume all of the italics and bolded words were added by me for emphasis for this journey we are on together. I did not note every page/book/blog that these writings came from else this entry would be far to long to keep your attention and not read as fluidly. If you would like all that information, email me and I'll send it to you but the books are noted at the bottom as resources.
Here we go...
To be like Jesus, to lead like Jesus... Ken Blanchard writes, "means leading with humility, which requires knowing whose you are and who you are. You are called to be a good steward of your season of influence in service to a plan that was set in motion before you came on the scene. Your influence will extend beyond your exit in the hearts and minds of those entrusted to your care. It means seeing yourself not "more highly than you ought, but rather (thinking) of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you" (Romans 12:3).
...Humility is a heart attitude that reflects a keen of understanding of your limitations to accomplish something on your own. It gives credit to forces other than your own knowledge or effort when a victory is won or an obstacle overcome. According to Jim Collins in his book Good to Great, a leader with a humble heart looks out the window to find and applaud the true causes of success and in the mirror to find and accept responsibility for failure. ...this isn't low self-esteem. In fact, people with humility don't think less of themselves; they just think of themselves less.
There is a difference between putting on the appearance of humility before others and being truly humble in the presence and purposes of God. You are not to be piously humble about what He has given you or what you have done. Author Fred Smith writes, "People with humility don't deny their power; they just recognize it passes through them, not from them."
The humility that Jesus demonstrated came from the fact that He knew who He was, where He came from, where He was going, and whose He was. Humility is realizing and emphasizing the importance of others. It is not putting yourself down; it is lifting others up. It is saying to yourself and others, 'I am precious in God's sight - and so are you!'"
Thoughts for reflection and prayer:
*Do you know 'who' you are? Where you came from? Where you're going? WHOSE you are?
*Read this statement again, "You are called to be a good steward of your season of influence in service to a plan that was set in motion before you came on the scene."
Gut check: are you being a good steward to this 'season' of influence? Are you in touch with 'what' this season is and that it is in fact a season? Are you making the most of it? Are you holding anything back?
Resources:
Bible - specifically Romans and John 15
Lead Like Jesus - Ken Blanchard
Good to Great - Jim Collins
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