Last month, our introductory column started to re-explore virtues pushed out of our lives. Think of it as re-plowing a field for a new “crop” of thoughts. Per Ben Franklin’s recommendation last month, we’ll start with humility.
Think of the humblest person you know. What about them that comes to mind? Is their blood pressure lower under “fire?” Do they lack revenge and calmly do what needs to be done or gently said, without attracting attention to themselves?
Humble presidents include George Washington for refusing to continue as president or Abraham Lincoln for choosing a cabinet of rivals to keep the country together. There’s also Harry Truman who refused to profit from the office of president or Jimmy Carter and his Christian humanitarian efforts after office.
What is humility? To some, it is to have a “low” profile, without notice or the ability to subdue and deny yourself. The humble person doesn’t have to control everything all the time. Some say it’s the ability to laugh at yourself or not take yourself so seriously. Think of humility as the ability to empty yourself of yourself for a right perspective of one’s strengths and weaknesses. We are just specks of sand in the context of our vast universe, a moment of time over eternity. The Apollo 8 space crew had such a moment of awe on Christmas 1968. Looking back after orbiting the moon, they read the Genesis creation account, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…” The point is that we don’t have control over creation or even others, only our response to them.
Why did Ben Franklin say to imitate Jesus who was arguably the humblest yet most famous person in human history? Let’s look at some examples with people and events. There was no demeaning prejudice against women. He was gentle and approachable to Mary, her sister Martha, the Samaritan woman at the well (Samaritans were despised by the Jews), Mary Magdeline and even a prostitute. He taught fishermen and Roman soldiers and ate with despised tax collectors, including Matthew who would later write the gospel of Matthew. You may not know these stories but there was no arrogance as he was a teacher to all, regardless of gender, heritage, power or money.
He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy, riding into Jerusalem on a young donkey to a cheering crowd. The norm for a victorious conqueror was a stallion, like a Roman emperor. Another well-known instance of humility was washing his disciples’ feet to teach them to serve others. Foot washing was a common courtesy, performed by servants. That same night, he even washed the feet of Judas, the one who would betray him. He emptied himself to serve all mankind saying, “It is better to give than to receive.” In Part 2, we’ll explore the heart behind the virtue of humility and its contrast to pride.