The Beginning of Humility

 Happy Friday, Friends!

I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious, frigid, new day begins to dawn in my Sweet Home Alabama! 😊

This is fascinating to me! Come on, grab a cup of coffee, have a seat, and let’s take a look at this together….

Yesterday morning when reading my Bible, I came across this verse:

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor. – 1 Peter 5:6

A couple of things:

1. Every morning when reading either my Bible or a leadership book, I will pick a word, search quotes about it, and that is how I determine the quotes I will put on Facebook and Twitter every day. It is my way of learning. Yesterday morning, based on that scripture, I chose the word “humility.”

2. The “at the right time” jumped out at me…so much so that I underlined it after I had written it down with my scriptures. Interesting, isn’t it? At the right time… Lord, please give my patience…but hurry!!! 😊

Now, before I share a couple of the quotes that I find fascinating, I want to share a few definitions of humility that you will find if you search for it…

According to Oxford Dictionaries, humility is “a modest or low view of one’s own importance”

According to Cambridge Dictionary, humility is “the quality of not being proud because you are aware of your bad qualities”

According to Merriam-Webster, humility is “the quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people”

Not a lot of clarity is there? I think the Merriam-Webster definition comes closest to what I think/believe humility is however it still doesn’t feel complete. I will just leave that here and allow you to do with it whatever you want! 😊

Now, the quotes… They knocked me for a loop. Here they are…

“To be humble is to be grounded in knowing who you are. It implies the responsibility to become what you were meant to become – to grow, to reach, to fully bloom as high and as strong and grand as you were created to. It is not honorable for a tree to wilt and shrink and disappear. It’s not honorable for a woman to, either.” – Glennon Doyle Melton

“Humility is the greatest shaper of souls and crafter of character, for it wipes away all the grandiose things that we spend so much of our lives pretending to be, so that we can spend all of our lives being the exceptional person that we were actually created to be.” – Craig D. Lounsbrough

How about that?!?! The beginning of humility is you and I simply becoming who we were created to become. No whining, complaining, comparing, or shaming! Simply walking our path, developing all of ourselves – our mental capabilities, our emotional maturity, our physical abilities, our gifts, and talents – to the very best of our ability! The only competition is our own potential! It is not predicated on our situation, circumstances, or anyone else. It is simply me and you doing all we can do to become all we are capable of becoming…simple as that!

Now, two things are running through my mind…

One of the greatest coaches of all time, perhaps the greatest, defined success as…

“Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.” – John Wooden

And then, this…

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” – Romans 12: 6 – 8

Do you hear it?! Be YOU! Be the absolute best version of YOU! This is where success is found and it is what every one of us has been called to…to simply be the fearfully and wonderfully made person that you and I, and every other precious soul walking the face of this earth, were created to become! So simple…so hard!! The beginning of humility… 😊

So there it is, Friends! The challenge I have for each of us is this: empty every day of its potential. Please, strive to become all you are capable of becoming each day! Don’t fret about yesterday or worry about tomorrow…we have no power there! I love the saying that goes something like, “You only have the strength you need for today. If you live this day well, you will have the strength for the next day when it gets here. Just live each day fully!” I slaughtered the whole thing, but you get the point! 😊

And in closing I will simply tell you this; you matter, and your life has great value, meaning, and purpose. I truly believe that, and I sincerely hope you do too!! 😊

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend, please cherish your precious families, and please stay well!!! 😊

Kev