Humility

A visitor to a monastery asked the monk who greeted him the main ministry of his order.

Offering the visitor a gracious smile, he said, “Well, when it comes to learning and teaching, we cannot compare to the Jesuits. When it comes to good works, we certainly cannot match the Franciscans. And, when it comes to preaching, we are far below the Dominicans. But when it comes to humility, we are at the top of the list.”

The apostle Peter is well known for his boldness for his Lord. Yet he once wrote, “You young men...serve each other with humility, for God sets Himself against the proud, but He shows favor to the humble.”

We often think that position and status are the marks of greatness. And, it is reasonable to want recognition and to be rewarded for the things that we accomplish. But here, Peter reminds us of a crucial fact: in the final analysis, we must remember that God’s recognition and rewards, His blessings and approval, count more than all of the human praise we may ever get.

In His own time, God will honor and bless us for what we do to honor and bless Him. It is not the things that we do to draw attention to ourselves that matter to God. It is what we do to direct others to recognize His love that reflects His goodness and grace, mercy and salvation, and the hope that we have in and through Him. In the final analysis, we must make Him known.

Prayer:  Lord, let us be alert for every opportunity to let others know that You are the “main attraction” in our lives. May what we do point others to Christ, our Savior. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 1 Peter 5:6