The Challenge of Humility...

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.”- Philippians 2:3

Humility is quite a hard virtue to live out in daily living. I confess that this is something that I myself struggle with from time to time. You know, it feels good to receive attention. I like hearing compliments like, “Pastor Kyle, that was a great sermon”, or “Kyle, you did a great job! You have great potential.” It feels good to receive compliments and affirmation from others. Being a young pastor, there is a lot people that have high hopes for me in ministry. They want to see the church once again reach out to young and diverse people…something the church has unfortunately been having trouble with lately.  It’s easy to receive affirmation and encouragement as a young pastor, especially when people look at the fruit of your labor.

I find the being humble is truly a discipline that one must learn, and we learn from example. The apostle Paul writes in the book of Philippians that we should “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others” (2:3-4).  Paul then calls for us to have a mind like Jesus, who humbled himself to the point of giving his life on the cross. It is through this act of humility that love was shown. When one remains humble, they are in fact showing love. When one shows love, they are showing the very character of God, who is love.

Think of those in your life who have shown humility. They can be a parent, grand parent, friend, co-worker, anyone. These people in your life are in fact showing the very character of God. In a world that often glorifies self-gratification and self-advancement, look out for and imitate the people you encounter who are showing humble love. You never know where God will show up.

Kyle Cuperwich is pastor of  Bernardsville and Gladstone United Methodist Churches, two faith communities with a long history of ministry to to Bernardsville, Gladstone and the surrounding communities.