Ponder this for a moment: What if there was such a thing as a “Pride Mirror?” I'm talking about a mirror that won’t just reflect your physical appearance but will also reveal something far more elusive. Instead of showing you how your hair is or whether your outfit is on point, it will display the levels of your pride like a gas gauge on your car dashboard. A red light for “Totally Selfish!” and a green light for “Kingdom Vibes.”
Here's the problem with pride: it's as invisible to us as air but as obvious to others as a cloud of smoke. We can smell other people's pride from a mile away but are utterly oblivious to our own. It's like having spinach in your teeth; everyone else can see it, but you're blissfully unaware.
And here's the challenging component: pride isn't just a little thing we can sweep under the rug. It's at the foundation and the root of all our sins. Jealousy? That's pride at work, wanting what others have. Anger? That's pride connected to our selfishness. Even laziness can be a form of pride, saying, “I don't have to exert myself; everyone else should serve me.”
So as we look at three ways to cultivate a humble heart, let's use our imaginary “Pride Mirror” to take a good, hard look at what’s on the inside.
1. Learn to See the God-Given Value in Others, Not Just Yourself
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves." - Philippians 2:3 (CSB)
We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and if we are honest and examine our own hearts, we might find that we are far from perfect. But let's shift our attention from focusing on our own flaws to appreciating God's grace in both our lives and those of others.
The truth is, every person you meet has unique gifts and qualities given to them by God. And the more you take your focus off yourself and your deficiencies, the more you'll start to appreciate the gifts and talents of those around you. It's important to adopt a Kingdom mindset that sees yourself as a part of a larger community, not as an isolated individual. When you do, you'll begin to see everyone else who is working in the Kingdom as a team member, not as an opponent.
2. Consider the High Honor of Serving the King of Kings
"If anyone serves me, he must follow me. Where I am, there my servant also will be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him." - John 12:26
It's challenging for us to wrap our minds around the fact that when we're doing Kingdom work, we’re serving the King of all kings. The God who spoke the whole universe into being and who breathed life into Adam also chose you and me to serve Him. And sometimes we forget the weight of that honor. Let's consider this the next time we engage in acts of Kingdom service. Let’s not just do it out of religious obligation, but from a profound sense of appreciation for the King we serve. Remember, your humblest efforts are exponentially magnified when they are rooted in your position and identity in Christ.
3. Consider That You May Be Wrong and Love Correction
“Don’t rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke the wise, and he will love you.”- Proverbs 9:8
I know, I know; Proverbs 9:8 is a little strong. But the Word of God is like a surgical knife cutting right through our flesh, exposing our inner infection of pride. There is no way around this; when we face the eternal truths in the Scriptures, it’s going to hurt.
The mark of a truly humble soul is a willingness to embrace correction, not deflect it. Imagine someone who is so humble that they find joy in being corrected. They want to be shown where they are falling short so they can better serve the Kingdom. A prideful person resents correction like water on a sizzling pan, but the humble soul absorbs it, thankful for the transformation that it brings.
It's important to keep in mind that humility is not about diminishing yourself; it's about magnifying God. It's about being so overwhelmed by the glory of God that you are not worrying about the spotlight hitting yourself, your desires, or elevating you in any way. You want the spotlight squarely on Jesus, genuinely content, and even grateful for whatever role God assigns you. Regardless of how small your role might be, you're excited because you see yourself as part of a grander narrative. This is a story that's not about you but about the King of kings and His Kingdom's advancement.
So keep in mind, as you cultivate a humble heart, that it's not about making yourself smaller; it's about making room for the Kingdom to shine brighter. When you divert your affections from the kingdom of this world to the Kingdom of God, you will find purpose and joy in being part of an eternal story. And as you fix your heart on Kingdom living, may your “Pride Mirror” always flash a green light for “Kingdom Vibes.” Keep pressing on, my friend!