Another Post on Humilty Colossians 2:18

"Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind" Col 2:18 ASV

When I read this verse and the commentaries on it I was reminded of the song "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing".

How often dow we make a great pretense of humility?  How often do we then demonstrate this false humility with constant self abasement?

The willingness to make fun of one's self is not a reflection of humility.  It may be a reflection of fleshly desire to be liked.  A fleshly desire to make sure no one sees us as puffed up

Based on what I've read so far on humility, I wonder if a truly humble person ever has to tell anyone that they're humble?  The lowliness of mind that characterizes humility will be obvious in everything that is said and done. Genuine humility never has to put on a show.

Making a great show of what you don't have is not humility.  Self abasement is not inherently humble.  How many times are we given compliments only to respond with "well without God it would not be possible".  Ok that is true, but the person offering the compliment may simply want to encourage you as you seek to do God's will.  Sometimes I feel as though Christians we engage in a competition of who can display the most humility.  When thoughts like "I know I'm more humble than him" enter our minds it is a false humility because genuine humility is not a competition.  Again if I have to tell someone I'm humble, I'm probably not humble.  If I'm comparing my humility to the humility of others, I'm probably not humble.  If I'm evaluating humility based on what material possessions I don't have and others do have, I'm probably not humble.

In true Christian humility I am aware of the lowliness of my position before God, I recognize my participation in the divine life through Christ, and I realize the dignity of my adoption before God. If all these things come together I don't have to put on a show of humility through self abasement. 

Humility: Attitude Will Determine Your Altitude

Philippians 2:3  Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves (NASB).

So once again I turn to the commentaries and cross references to give me a sense of what the verse means.

One commentary suggest that it is the thought that characterizes the action as good or bad.  This means humble actions are not really humble before God if my thoughts which only God can see are not humble.  This verse also commands that we esteem others higher than ourselves.  So my compliments are not really compliments in God's eyes if my attitude is not one that actually believes the others are more important than me.

Nothing I do should be done with the desire of praise.  So with a humble attitude I am never miffed that someone didn't say thank you.  It doesn't matter whether people know that I did something or not.  A humble attitude doesn't seek praise but is more than willing to praise others.  My eyes should not be fixed on what I'm good at, but they should be focused on celebrating where my neighbor excels me.

So what's the bottom line for me?  I have to be genuinely happy that there are brothers and sisters who are better at things than me.  Celebrate where my neighbor excels me.  The fact that I'm not the best is a good thing.  Something for me to enjoy rather than being frustrated with.  Additionally I don't seek the praise of others but I'm willing to praise others.  I should be happy for the opportunity to praise others when they excel.

This is hard for me because part of my job is to coach in competitive speech trying to win.  Wanting my students to be best they can be.  So I'll be looking for the balance between trying to win and being humble.  The balance between trying to be good and at the same time being gracious.

In the other areas of my life I need work on thanking God for what I'm good at and thanking God for what other people are good at.  Not being frustrated that someone does something better than me but being happy that someone is better than me.  How do you do that?  Nevertheless it seems that this is part of the humble attitude that is pleasing to God.  

Attitude that brings JOY - Jesus first Others second Yourself last.

My First Blog Post on Humility

So I've decided to do a study on humility and see where it takes me.

On Friday I was led to Ephesians 4:2 "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love"

So I was left wondering what does gentleness and patience have to do with humility.  I turned to the commentaries to get a sense of what this verse means for me.

One fact I was immediately struck with is that "only the humble, lowly, heart is meek".  So I have to have lowly heart to be humble.  A heart that recognizes the lowliness of who I am.  A meek heart that accepts how God deals with me without complaint.  Finally in order to be humble I need a patient heart.

So my humility is ultimately a reflection of my recognition of my worth outside of Christ.  My humility is a reflection of my contentment with how God is dealing with me.  My humility is is a reflection of my ability to wait on the Lord.  The ability to be patient.

So why is it a struggle?  Because when people are giving you compliment after compliment it is so tempting to spend lots and lots of time pondering your greatness.  When God is not dealing with me in a way I think is right or fair, I complain (of course I'm wrong because God is never wrong). 

But probably the biggest obstacle to humility for me is my lack of patience.  In the last 2 years or so I have lived the life of an "only child".  I've had very little contact with my family members, my dog has been my only roommate.  So I've gotten in the habit of having things my way, when I want them.  When that doesn't happen I get very upset, throw a temper tantrum and act like a spoiled brat.

What did I learn on Friday?  If I'm going to be humble, I must find, lowliness, meekness, and probably most difficult for me patience.

Currently Gaming Madden NFL 09 20th Anniversary Collectors Edition By Electronic Arts see related

20 Years of Madden

Today the 20th edition of Madden football was released http://www.easports.com/madden09/.

I have played 19 of the 20 editions including the 15th anniversay edition released five years ago.  So for almost 20 years I've been playing Madden.

With the games costing between $50 and $60 I have spent well over $1000 in the last 20 years playing Madden.

Before everyone in America had a cell phone, I was playing Madden.

Before everyone in America could access the internet at home, I was playing Madden.

Before everyone in American could conduct all business without leaving home, I was playing Madden.

When the first George Bush was President and before the first Persian Gulf War, I was playing Madden.

When the price of gas was $1.16 in 1990, I was playing Madden.

When you still had to press play on a tape deck or put on a record to get your music, I was playing Madden.

When the word Spam actually meant a disgusting meat product, I was playing Madden.

When the primary form of mail was delivered by the US postal service, I was playing Madden.

I've played Madden on a Sega Genesis Sytem, a Playstation, a Playstation 2 (I actually bought the game before I bought the system in 2000) and a PS3.

So now here I am, 20 years later.  I have acheived a high school diploma, college degree, and master's degree (in spite of all the hours invested in Madden). 

I have taught at three different Universities (Miami University, Kansas State University, Cedarville University).  I also wored at McDonald's and Lincoln Electric so that I would have enough $ to buy Madden.

So here I go, off to Best Buy to make my purchase of the 20th edition of Madden.  I will have Madden, yet I have no food in the house.  Is there something wrong with this picture?

My life with a beagle.

It is amazing the impact that a dog can have on your life.

I know the landscape in Cedarville better because of a dog.

I know more people in Cedarville because of a dog.

I got to know my neighbors better because of a dog.

When I walk Toby, inevitably we always run into at least one person who has or has had a beagle.  If the person had a beagle I always learn how that beagle died .  .  . "he got a viral infection" . . . "she was euthanized"  . . . "she ran out and got hit by a car"  I am always left wondering why they didn't get another beagle after grieving the loss of the first one.  Did a memo go out somewhere that said "Don't get another beagle!"

I am amazed at the number of people, especially women who think Toby is cute.  It's a good thing for Toby that people think he is cute because with that annoying howl that he calls a bark, he would have been shot a long time ago if he wasn't cute.  Of course I like to remind people that he is really cute until he pees on your floor . . .

We ran into someone on the bike path yesterday who uses beagles to hunt.  She asked me if I ever used beagles to hunt.  I said no I've never gone hunting with Toby.  She clearly thought I had deprived him of some great pleasure by not taking him hunting.  What she didn't know was the lack hunting is not because of Toby but because of me.  I really have no desire to shoot an animal with a gun.

So now I'm trying to decide if I want to add a second beagle to the family.  One beagle is a lot of fun, but two . . . well we'll just have to wait and see.