Humble: not proud or haughty ; not arrogant or assertive, reflecting...etc.
Now first off, if you are someone who always has the best story at a gathering, the worst animal bite, the worst bodily injury known to man, the highest paying job, the best family in the world, the most expensive car, flown the longest distance, stayed awake the longest before dropping, or been to the moon and back. This blog is not for you. Just skip this reading, you have my permission. But for the rest of us minority, please continue. Sorry for my sense of humor... :-)
Jesus was a humble man. What an example to live by. He had all power given to Him by God. But instead of using this to show how much better He was than mankind, He used His power to heal people that had a need in their life. He did not brag or boast of what He could do. He did not belittle man even when they persecuted Him. They taunted him and yet he still refused to argue with them of who he was.
If you let me, I would imagine that as he walked around the cities. He would come upon men that thought they were hot stuff. There many accomplishments in life. The higher educated men. Maybe some heroes from battle. Some inventors etc. As Jesus may have spoke to these men, they may have boasted about their many accomplishments in life. Thinking they were only talking to a carpenter. You know those kind of people I speak about. They are the greatest of all because of what they have been able to do in life. They are those well accomplished people who whatever you tell them, they have a story that would top yours any day. Well those types of people must have existed long ago in Jesus' day as well. Could you imagine them talking with Jesus. Jesus all knowing what he would accomplish in the near future. He did not brag. He probably just listened to them talk. He did not try to top them, even though he easily could have. The devil tempted him with recognition. Jesus did not give in. He took the humble path. He was humiliated among throngs of people. His final words "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do..."
The people did not grasp the full concept of what really was taking place. Jesus did not fight it. He was humble in all his ways. In our daily lives we are tempted with recognition. We see others that don't really deserve, in our eyes, the recognition. Yet, they receive it. They stand among the crowd and brag about what they have accomplished. But when we don't get that special attention of someone saying "good job or well done," how do we respond. Do we respond the humble way and just continue our daily routine? Without growing bitter.
Its easy to watch others, see them recognized when you know you have been working so hard and no one said anything to you, the entire time. But, just smile because God knows that they need that recognition. Give it to them as well. Everyone can't be like this. Some people have to be the ones to give the recognition. If we all needed to constantly be patted on the back, who would be the ones to do the patting. Some are meant to be patted but maybe you are one meant to be the "patter". Either way be happy with your role in life, it was given to you by God.
The next time you see someone get the recognition that you think should be sent your way, think about Jesus. How he responded to this situation. Be a humble person. Be grateful for what you have. The Lord knows what you need in life. Let Him be the one to pat you on the back when you need it. I would much rather have my Lord be pleased with my life and give me a thumbs up than anyone in this world. If God is happy with my life and my accomplishments then that is all that matters to me. So look to God, your heavenly Father, for all the recognition that you need. Don't base your satisfaction on people's applause.
My daily life is motivated by the words "Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. "
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