August 30, 2006
From RTF: One of my favorite blogs is Agent Tim Online. He’s a guy who has attracted a lot of attention because he’s a teen — and he’s speaking out on faith. He’s even got his own podcast and it’s amazing.
This is Tim’s take on humility (printed with Tim’s permission).
Humility - Not Normal
Humility isn’t something that comes naturally for anyone, although it certainly does seem to be easier for others to display. I am certainly not one of those lucky few. In fact as I sat down this morning to read Growing Up Christian I took at small test to see where I stood and ended up right where I thought I was - right in the middle, still growing in humility. Some might see themselves as hypocritical - I see it as still growing in humility.
One aspect of humility that I read about this morning came from the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 10, verse 4.
If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest.
Many times I’m wronged, whether it be at work, at home, or on the playing field for soccer. I know that I particularly need to make sure that I remain calm and humble, both outwardly, and most importantly inwardly. How many of us are humble on the outside, yet are yelling, complaining, arguing, and angered within? Is this truly humility being displayed, or can we call it what it really is - hypocrisy, and not growing in humility.
I must be very, very careful not to do this, especially in my line of work where I deal with hundreds of people each day whose lives revolve around them - and I am treated as second class. I need to remember that those people can grow me in humility or can send me rolling down the rickety path of pride.
One other huge point that I gleaned this morning was that a great way to stay humble is to be around others who are more gifted than you - better at a sport, at acting, at writing, at piano, at art, or whatever it is. I’ve found that my pride has led me to quit what I had previously enjoyed when I met someone who was far more talented in an area. I have almost completely stopped art because I met so many people who were much better than I was - and that is quite clearly pride.
There are so many other ways to cultivate humility in our lives, and many of those can be found in great books, especially by C.J. Mahaney. I really would like to encourage you to begin cultivating humility in your life as I work to cultivate it in my own.
BIO: Find out more about Tim Sweetman at http://www.agenttimonline.com/ or www.regenerateourculture.com.
Ebun says:
Thanks so much for visiting my blog. How did you find me?
Queen says:
Hello T.Suzanne Eller
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