Unselfish Humility A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle.—Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) I need to underscore a foundational fact: God’s goal is not to make sure you’re happy. No matter how hard it is for you to believe this, it’s time to do so. Life is not about your being comfortable and happy and successful and pain free. It’s about becoming the man or woman God has called you to be. Unfortunately, we will rarely hear that message proclaimed today. All the more reason for me to say it again: Life is not about you! It’s about God. Paul recommends an attitude of unselfish humility. Quite remarkably, you never read where Paul said to his Roman guard, while he was in prison: “I need you to do me a favor. Next time you happen to be near one of the Emperor’s assistants, urge him to get me out of this dump. I shouldn’t be here in the first place. I’ve been here for one year, seven months, four days, five hours, and nine minutes, and that’s long enough.” Paul’s attitude of unselfish humility prevented him from keeping meticulous records of the wrongs done to him in Rome, or anywhere else for that matter. He was in prison by divine appointment. He willingly submitted to his situation. Christ modeled the great emptying-out principle that permeated Paul’s remarkable life. If we want to learn contentment, developing an attitude of unselfish humility is the perfect place to begin. … You won’t believe the impact that sort of selfless mental attitude will have on the people. You won’t have to raise flags or pass out tracts. Just demonstrate an attitude of unselfish humility. The results will amaze you. (Charles R. Swindoll) President McKinley was considering the appointment of a minister to a foreign country. There were two candidates, their qualifications almost equal. Which one did he appoint? The President told the story of an incident which decided his choice. Years before, when he was a Representative, he boarded a streetcar one night and took the last vacant seat. Shortly afterwards an old washerwoman entered, carrying a heavy basket. She walked the length of the car and stood in the aisle, no one offering her a seat. One of the men the President was to consider later, was sitting in a seat opposite where she was standing. He shifted the paper so as not to see her. Mr. McKinley walked down the aisle, picked up her basket of washing, and gave her his seat. The candidate never knew that this little act of selfishness had deprived him of perhaps the crowning honor of a lifetime. Psalms 144:3-4 (NIV) What Lord, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow. Isaiah 40:22 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers. Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Galatians 6:3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Dear Jesus, please show me how I can have an attitude like Paul manifested, being more concerned about fulfilling Your plan in my life rather than what will bring me greater comforts. I don’t want to be so focused on myself that I forget to think about others and their needs.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 11:54:58 +0000