2 Cor 11:30-33
H.A. IRONSIDE, a minister in the early part of the 20th century, knew he was becoming prideful. His church was doing well. His messages were being received enthusiastically. People recognized him on the street. He realized he needed to do something to humble himself. He asked, "What can I do that will curtail my ego?"
He concluded that it would be healthy if he rented himself out to a vendor & carried a sandwich board ad for an entire day. So for 8 hours Ironside walked the streets of Chicago carrying a promotion for a local business on his back.
As he prepared for bed that night he thought to himself, "What a humbling experience that was!" In the next second he mused, "You know, I'll bet there's not another preacher in Chicago who would be willing to do what I did today!"
Humility is an elusive virtue. Once you think you've got it, you probably have lost it. One preacher reported, "I have a great sermon on humility but we've never had a big enough crowd to merit preaching it!"
Humility is a rare virtue. The world doesn't consider humility of value & few Christians pray earnestly for it. But the apostle Paul wrote, "If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities." (2 Corinthians 11:30).
Paul had reason to boast from a human perspective. He had received the best Jewish education. He was a Roman citizen. He had a keen mind. He was known by thousands. He had traveled all over the world. He was a prolific writer. He'd experienced a special call from God.
No wonder Paul had to struggle with ego on occasion. But God humbled him at his conversion by striking him blind for three days. Shortly after his conversion Paul was humbled again when he was lowered in a basket from a window in the city wall to escape those who wanted to arrest & execute him.
Thoughout his ministry Paul was arrested, beaten, imprisoned, criticized, mocked, stoned, & left for dead, but since God had revealed so much to him, he was still tempted by pride. He wrote, "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." (2 Corinthians 12:7). The Lord made sure Paul remained humble throughout his ministry because "God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble."
Humility is an essential virtue. Humility is not insecurity, cowardice, or self-consciousness. Humility simply reflects a constant awareness of the need for God in our life. Humility says, "Regardless of my title or influence, I am still a sinner in need of God's grace. In spite of my gifts I know that without God, I am nothing."
Humility means we are willing to take a back seat in order to advance the cause of Christ. It means we're not easily offended if we're not in the limelight or asked to sing the solo, give the keynote speech, or be the chairman.
Humility means if we succeed & all the charts in your business trend upward, you don't become proud or boastful. You just thank God that he's gifted you & enabled you to prosper. It means that if we are failing, if our life is falling apart, we don't quit, wallow in self-pity, or blame other people. We don't complain that we deserve better. We just say, "Lord, by your strength, I'm going to continue on."
Someone said, "Humility isn't thinking less of ourselves, it's just thinking of ourselves less . . . & Jesus Christ more."