I have been ruminating on the topic of humility lately, the result of a Bible study I was engaged in with some friends. Always an enlightening study. A new National Geographic arrived this week and I was reading the article on fossils of amazing whales that are found in the middle of an Egyptian desert (!). The subtitle is "An Egyptian desert, once ocean, holds the secret to one of evolution's most remarkable transformations." The article is fascinating and contains about 20 pages of text and photos. The last two paragraphs captured my attention, though. One of the researchers is a man who "ironically, himself grew up in a strictly principled Christian environment, in a family of Amish Mennonites in eastern Iowa. 'My grandfather had an open mind about the age of the Earth', he says, 'and never mentioned evolution. Remember, these were people of great humility, who only expressed an opinion on something when they knew a lot about it.' "
I really like what he said. I was reminded of Psalm 131: O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; nor do I involve myself in great matters, or in things too difficult for me. Surely I have composed and quieted my soul."
At the end of our discussion on humility last night we made a list of things that reveal whether we have true humility. Here are a few of the things:
- Do I have a sense of turmoil? Is this "all about me"?
-How much of my conversation revolves around "I" and "me"?
-Am I able to accept God's grace for past sins and failures?
-Am I miffed if I do not receive recognition for my accomplishments, my appearance, my status?
-Do I associate with the lowly or do I seek out those who will make me look good?
-Do I defend myself or am I teachable?
-Do I express criticism or do I look for signs of grace in other peoples' lives and give thanks?
I think the comment in Nat'l Geo points out to me another checkpoint for humility - do I express opinions on things I know little about or do I compose and quiet my soul in God?
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