Remember as a child desperately wanting Mom and Dad to see you and your antics? (What do you mean, “what antics?”)
Swinging high on the playground – wind blowing through your hair – “Look at me, Mom, look at me!”
Riding a two-wheeler for the first time without training wheels – “Look at me, Dad, look at me!”
Filing onto stage for the spring orchestra concert with your violin – waving at your parents in the audience, inwardly smiling because Mom and Dad see you.
As we grew up and matured – assuming we actually did – we learned it isn’t appropriate to wave our arms and shout, “Look at me—look at me!”
But do we ever outgrow the desire to be seen?
Do we ever outgrow the desire to be thought well of?
Do we ever outgrow the desire to be recognized for our accomplishments?
Our natural inclination is pride, not humility.
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12
It occurs to me that if my motive to humble myself is that I might be exalted, I’ve somehow missed it completely.
“Clothe yourselves, all of you with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5
Lord, may the humility of Christ be evident in my life.
Written by Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and is the Executive Director & CEO of Changed Choices, a Christian non-profit in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.
