When you see people brag, or promote themselves constantly in public or on social media, does it ever bother you?  Does it ever get annoying?

 

What about when you hear a celebrity or athlete deflect praise or attention, giving all the credit to her team or family?  Does that kind of humility raise your level of respect for the person?

 

There's something about humility that connects with us, compared to attitudes of pride and self-promotion. 

 

Humble people tend to be honest about their flaws, and most of us can relate to that because nobody's perfect, right? 

 

How often do you tell people about your mistakes and where you need to grow?  You may be surprised how much of a connection you can make to your friends and family, as you share vulnerably with them.

 

Humble people also realize they need help from others, and they are not superhumans who can do everything themselves. 

 

Think of all the people who have helped you in your life.  None of us is truly self-sufficient, but we were built to need people.  That's why we can thrive even more as we reach out to others for support, and work with them to achieve even greater goals. 

 

That's the idea of humility, and this is a huge part of the message of Christianity -- that we actually need not just other people, but God.  Asking God to guide our lives is the ultimate step of humility, but it actually makes us stronger than we could have dreamed.  When we live our lives for Jesus, we have access to God who provides a foundation for our lives and a source of inner strength and security.  Perhaps this is why Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."

Matthew 20:26

It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant

Matthew 23:12

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less.  

 

C.S. Lewis

 

The Masquerade

 

 

The invitation is here

It’s time to get ready

You’ve been invited to the masquerade

 

Throw open the doors to your walk in closet

That’s bigger than your room itself

With so many masks to choose from

So many people you could become

 

The bright blood red mask

To become the loud and proud power hungry monster

The subtle yellow mask

To become the humble, no so obvious power hungry monster

The pale blue mask

To become the sad, over-looked power hungry monster

 

You take several, just in case

Different masks for the same goal

You must be prepared to get ahead 

No matter what it takes

Sacrificing your true face at the alter of fame

Slowly being erased away so you never, ever have to feel shame