Let us consider humility. Not a word we can associate with today, living as we do influenced by Silicon Valley’s macho culture. A culture that affects women along with men along with adolescents.
When was the last time you (or I) admitted that you (or I) were wrong about something?
If it’s been longer than 30 days back, perhaps you (and I) have a problem.
Enter email address on the right and click follow to receive updates via email. I will never spam you. I’m not in that business! Thank you.
I guess I enjoy poking at logical inconsistencies of people. Or times when people do a series of things putting themselves in difficult situations and are surprised. I know I’m not immune myself. I just appreciate the humanness of such things.
Like the politician I recently read about who used a logic for a new edict that directly opposes the logic that the politician uses for another position. I can leave it vague. Think of your favorite politician—or your favorite political punching bag.
I like to look to Jesus for guidance. I found upon reflection that he also enjoyed poking at people—especially self-important people. Think of all his comments to the Pharisees and Temple big wigs while he was in a crowd of ordinary people. “You clean the cup on the outside, but inside it is filthy.” “You declare your wealth dedicated to God, so that you don’t have to take care of your aged parents.”
Reflecting on Jesus’ guidance, I think that I had better become aware of my own inconsistencies cleaning them up.
We are attending an small event to honor or remember someone. We begin to overthink details—what clothes should we wear, how the hair looks, jewelry (for those who indulge), and the like.
This could be what is called using university terms majoring in the minor.
We remember—it’s not all about me.
Just don’t wear or do something to detract from the event and the other.
The major is—it’s all about them. It’s not all about us.
Preparing to write this morning, the news centered on the passing of Pope Francis.
I am not Catholic, but I taught 7th grade at a Catholic school long ago learning a lot about the faith and the organization. I also read many Catholic theologians in my day. My favorite is Pierre Teilhard.
I respected Francis from the first I heard about him in his days in Latin America. As Pope, he represented being a Jesus follower well. He did his best to move a huge, bureaucratic organization into modern times.
His predecessor, Benedict, had a marvelous theological mind. He was, however, the ultimate organization man protecting the organization as best he could.
Francis, rather, tried to deal with past indiscretions, treating people with humility and respect.
The best lesson we can learn from him is just that—living in humility and respect for others.
If only everyone agreed with me, the world would be a happier place.
If only the world conformed to the picture I have, it would be perfect.
I think of the many people I know and about whom I read who have a picture of how the world should work in their minds. They persist in trying to make the world conform to their picture. They are perennially frustrated when things don’t work out that way.
Then there was Jesus.
He actually knew what the world should be. He called it the Kingdom of Heaven. He taught people about it. About how to live in it. He actually lived in it.
Yet, when he met people who did not exhibit much of that Kingdom, or had their own (wrong) view of what the Kingdom was, he understood.
Most of the time his confrontations with these people was gentle—his followers, the rich young man, the 10 lepers who were cleaned when only one returned to thank him.
Sometimes his words were gentle, yet pointed. No compromise. Like when he was invited to dinner with an important Pharisee. These dinners were like a mini theatrical production. It was meant for show for the “common” people who would walk by to see who the honored guests were. And the woman invaded the dinner washing his feet with her tears and anointing him with perfume. His words to the host were a firm rebuke. But evidently not spoken harshly.
Jesus could react with anger. He had a picture of the proper respect for the Temple. When he encountered merchants ripping off pilgrims coming from afar to offer sacrifice, he acted with emotion turning over tables and scattering merchandise.
When people are exploiting other people, Jesus’s example shows us anger is justified. Otherwise, replying with gentleness makes a better point.
Especially since you and I are not Jesus. We might be wrong.
Everything depends upon me.
I must bring healing to that grieving family.
If I don’t show up to lead, the work will never be done.
Maybe…
The work to be done is important. We should be serious about it.
Perhaps not so serious about ourselves. Such focus leads to pride. Which leads to a fall.
Relax. Let the spirit flow through you to do the work. Chuckle at your shortcomings. Try easy.
There was an old kid’s saying that when you point your finger at someone there are three pointing back at you.
Truth lies behind that saying. What you do speaks louder that what you say. And it all reflects back on others’ perception of your character.
Who likes the self-righteous person always ready to point to other’s faults and “wrong” theologies?
No one. Most likely not even the person doing the pointing.
If you find yourself in this loop, pause and try kindness.
I have been reading some ancient insights into pride and humility. As I was making some notes in the margins of the book, this thought came naturally. It derived from personal experience and from observation.
How often does our pride interfere with learning when we read the Bible?
Since we already know it all, do we read simply to reinforce our opinions?
Can we read with a mind open for God to speak new insights directly to us (think of yesterday’s post about praying with open hands)?
Can we read, and, instead of assuming we know what every word means, be puzzled over the meaning of a word? And take time to look it up? Discerning the nuances of translating from the Greek or Hebrew?
I often read with my smart phone handy stopping to look up a word. Often surprised at the word’s various meanings and derivatives. It’s easier than the old days of reading with a dictionary at hand.
Putting pride behind us with a dose of humility is a great warm up before study.
The class at the university taught management of public organizations. I don’t remember why, but that class introduced me to a psychologist called Leon Festinger and the idea of cognitive dissonance.
When I am introduced to new information, sometimes as I digest it I experience some amount of stress figuring it all out. Of course, that’s my personality type. Some people solve that problem by just rejecting any new information. That’s their loss.
Try out these thoughts, for example. Don’t we all think in terms of ourselves? Seems natural.
Today, Jon Swanson pondered as he leads us through this part of Lord’s Prayer, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.” He notices, “Not my kingdom. Not our kingdom. Your kingdom.”
The pastor of the church we now attend likes to say as he institutes the Lord’s Supper, “Not my table, not your table, but God’s table.”
Cognitive dissonance? What? It’s not my table to decide who and what? It’s not my kingdom to rule over this and that?
Who is this God who thinks he’s in charge? Oh, I guess he is. Whether I like it or not. And I’d better digest that piece of information for my own well being.
Has it ever happened to you? Someone asks a question. You don’t really know the answer. But we feel the urge to say something. Anything. Sometimes out of pride we make up an answer. Maybe something we heard on YouTube. Maybe something overheard on the street. It may or may not be accurate. But who cares? We needed to fill the silent void.
I was trained to write with certainty, to develop an argument, to be persuasive. And to speak that way. Even when I am throwing out an idea expecting pushback and discussion, people take it as definitive. End of discussion.
Sometimes we need to say “I don’t know. What do you think?” Sometimes just a simple I don’t know:
When someone asks how a virus spreads…
When someone asks how to interpret a difficult Greek text…
When someone asks about politics…
When someone asks, why God…
Faith Venture 