The Kind of Person To Follow: Humble

Follow Jesus.

That’s the instruction I was given. That was the instruction I heard others given. Don’t depend on no one else, just completely depend on Jesus.

That wasn’t a difficult message to hear. It wasn’t a difficult message to deliver either. Living out that message … well …

There’s this idea that there are flawed people that can provide a model to see as to what it is to follow Jesus. They are flawed, sure, but they’re also commited to the Way. The Way to be, the Way to Him who shows what it is to be. Here are some characteristics I’ve noticed in those kind of guys.

The biggest issue for men is pride. That’s quite the statement to make and I’m happy to engage with those who suggest it’s something else, but I’ve yet to be convinced of the alternatives. Sometimes those in positions of responsibility are the ones most susceptible to the blatant expressions of pride.

The antidote to pride is always humility. I’ve been impacted by those who have made a practice of humility in three stages of experience. There’s the humility before the task – considering options and the counsel of others, not being  impulsive, not giving into fear and doubt. There’s the humility during the task – remembering that what they’re doing is not in their own strength and not for their own glory or gratification. There’s the humility after the task – acknowledging and taking responsibility for mistakes, noting areas of improvement and celebrating success with a refreshing degree of equanimity.

I am convinced that experience does not necessarily teach humility. I have seen people go through significant setbacks that leaves them bitter and suspicious. I have gone through things that should have brought me to my knees, but I preferred to go finger-pointing. So no, it is not necessarily the accumulation of experience or its severity that can bring humility about.

There have been euphoric occasions that I’ve seen people respond to in a way that expressed real humility. The sense of the success seemed to make them very aware that there’s no way in their own power they could achieve it. It brought them to an acknowledgement and growing dependency on God who has the power and character that’s worth pursuing and being grateful for.

This is why those with humility are the people worth following.

(Photo by Ben White on Unsplash)

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L J. Dryden