Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves.
Most people have the idea that humility involves making oneself into a cocker spaniel, a dart board, or a doormat. “Humble” people are supposed to be people who constantly go about, rubbing their hands, licking their lips and offering pathetic little smiles as they say (in a weak voice), “But of course I’m nobody.” With a picture of humility such as this in our heads it is therefore not surprising that when Christian spiritual masters speak of the “joys” of humility we don’t know what to make of it. This is not, however, what real humility is about. Far closer to the New Testament ideal is a sort of glad self-forgetfulness such as we have sometimes experienced in childhood. The child who is simply ecstatic with admiration for baseball hero or filled with wonder of the marvel of a simple magic trick is living out the Christian ideal of humility in a certain way. Such a child is simply so focused on a good thing that he or she does not have room within for self-absorption. Of course, as adults, we inevitably become more self-aware. When we do, the call of Christ is not to put ourselves down, nor to spend a lot of time trying not to think of ourselves (which is, of course, one of the most self-absorbed things we can do). Rather, it is to hold on to the original insight of childhood and find what is excellent and admirable in those around us. When we do, we find them becoming so interesting that we can’t be bothered fussing about ourselves. Today, thank God for the hidden treasure that he has placed in your neighbor and take a step toward discovering what that treasure might be.
