Two character strengths that are often undervalued in modern society are humility and modesty. They are actually closely connected. Typically, a person who is humble is also modest and vice-versa. But, so much of public attention these days is focused on celebrities and political figures. Egotism and self-projection too often accompany these professional life pathways. In addition, the proliferation of television reality shows and award shows encourage vanity and narcissism. The trickle down affect is that we ‘average Joes’ can feel pressured to act like we’re superheroes too, just to fit into the bravado of the times. We think, if we don’t assert ourselves, we’ll be either run over or left behind.
But, it is a well-documented fact that narcissism leads to depression. Self-adulation, or self-worship, is a shortcut to unhappiness. That is the reason there is so much in scripture, especially in both the example and teaching of Jesus, encouraging humility and modesty.
Booker T. Washington was the post-Civil War President of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. He was responsible for thousands of young black men and women getting a higher education. One day, while walking through an affluent neighborhood, a woman asked him if he would like to earn some money chopping wood. Washington picked up and ax and went to work. When the woman realized who he was, she was embarrassed and apologized. “It’s perfectly all right madam,” Washington graciously replied. “Occasionally I enjoy a little manual labor.” She was so impressed by his humble attitude, she and several of her wealthy friends ended up donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Tuskegee Institute. Humility and modesty are their own reward, but occasionally the humble have a way of being exalted by thinking people in the mainstream of life.
Pray with me… Father God, I pray… not I, but Christ, be honored, loved, exalted… not I, but Christ, be seen, be known, be heard. Not I but Christ, in every thought and action… in Jesus dear Name, amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
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