A HUMBLE LIFE
/That title may arouse little attention today. Let's face it, our culture is more into “A Happy Life,” “A Comfortable Life” or “A Successful, Pain-Free Life” ---but “A Humble Life?” Seriously?
Have you ever seen a “help wanted” ad that read: “WANTED: Someone who is meek, living an others-centered humble life”? Probably not. You're more likely to see: “the meek and humble need not apply.” I doubt if a resume would begin, “I am meek and mild, unselfish, gentle and humble in heart. I care for others.” No high school award is given for the humblest; maybe one for the Biggest Geek, but not the Most Meek.
When it comes to servant leadership in any leadership role, a humble life is a must. Here’s why. Authentic servant leadership dares to lay aside its own personal desires and pleasures to look at/consider the good of others. A humble leader says, “You have interests, and I have interests. I'm willing to put your interests above my own interests, even though I am your employer, manager, supervisor, spouse, parent, pastor, elder, teacher, coach, or friend.” In other words, a humble life reflects a life of self-emptying that takes a downward plunge to lift up another.
The greatest servant leader of all time, our Lord Jesus, lived and modeled this self-emptying truth which, in turn, permeated Paul's writing in Philippians 2:3-4. He answers the question, “What does humility look like in a servant leader's life?”
FIRST, humility empties itself of selfishness and empty conceit (2:3). It rejects the preeminence of living only for what you want when you want it. It's denying yourself, emptying, abandoning yourself of. . . YOURSELF. . . by the awesome power of a crucified Savior and a risen Lord. Don't miss that last phrase. Read it again. A servant leader can't pull off self-centeredness by human effort. Luther's classic hymn says it well. . . “did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing.”
SECOND, humility looks at others as more important than themself (2:3). A humble person respects ALL people no matter who they are or what they have or don't have. Everyone is important—the CEO/the custodian; the long-term employee/the new hire; the husband/the wife/the kids; the white athlete/the black scholar; the wealthy/the homeless; the senior pastor/the staff person. ALL ARE important, no exceptions. NONE!
THIRD, humility lets one's personal interests include the interests of others (2:4). Humble servant leaders lose the right to think only of themselves.
FOURTH, God promises to exalt the humble in His time and in His way.
“Therefore, God highly exalted Him (Christ)” (Philippians 2:9).
“Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will exalt you” (James 4:10).
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you at the proper time” (1 Peter 5:6)
An unselfish, humble life. It’s the way to lead. . starting with your spouse, your family, your in-laws, your neighbors, your friends. Model it before your employees or clients, your congregation, your church leadership team, your Bible study, your athletic team. The results will amaze you and them!
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