Humility, and Other Things I Do Well

John Carter – March 22, 2014 – Writings
Humility, and Other Things I Do Well

It might be come as a surprise to those who know me but humility is not among the things that I do well. In fact, humility is probably on the polar opposite of things I do well. In my acts of arrogance I have stepped on way too many toes, crushed too many spirits, and destroyed more potential friendships then I’ll ever know. And that sucks. But these losses don’t even compare with the unity and times of closeness that I would have other wise had with my God. Without my God’s grace I would have no hope of ever being restored back to a place of nearness with Him or having an opportunity to mend the damage that I have caused in my own life with other people.

I am taking advantage of a class that I am taking at SEBTS with Larry Purcell & David Horner to reconsider my usual habits of arrogance. Between private readings in the Bible, Chapels, rouge conversations, classroom lectures, and assigned readings I am being forced to decide whether I will lay down under the careful scalpel of the Gospel of God or if I will continue to vainly wield a plastic sword at the gates of Mordor.

It seems that the more I give myself over to a disposition of humility my ability to do other things well increases. I drum better when humble. I father better when humble. I even friend better and husband better when humble. However, I still do not English better.

A Bible passage that has been repeatedly been brought to my attention these past few weeks is Philippians 2:1-5, 8

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus… And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (ESV)

Sitting behind the drums in a music rehearsal the other day I distinctly remember having a moment of clarity when I realized that I was the least important person in that room. And I was in awe of the collective humility required for dozens of musicians to come together to play with such beautiful unity.

Although I may not yet be entirely humble, I am perfectly content seeking such a gentle thing.