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Being humble is a choice, and it’s one we must make every day as we endeavor to show others the same latitude of grace and mercy that Christ continues to show us.
Any of us church techs can likely remember numerous times when we’ve given warnings that were unheeded, provided feedback that was ignored, or were altogether overlooked when decisions were being made. There’s no doubt that it probably felt good, even for a minute, when our perspective was proven correct.
In ministry, however, we are called to lead by example as shepherds, not sheep. And that’s where the difficulty comes into play, especially when it comes to our attitudes towards others.
How often have I relished the ‘us versus them’ mentality that arose when my recommendation was proven correct?
When I choose to serve, I’m willingly laying down my perspective, my rights, and my entitlements, knowing that, as a slave by choice, all that matters is whether I’m serving the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. It is irrelevant whose idea gets chosen or who gets the credit. The end goal is to bring glory to God in all circumstances, not to thump my chest when I’m right.
When my leaders or peers make a bad decision, it’s not a time to gloat or point out those errors. It’s a time to rally behind a solution and do whatever I can to clean up the mess and help salvage a “win.” It’s not about me; it’s about the ministry doing all it can to make a difference in the lives of our attendees and community. When I’m concerned with whether I’m right or wrong, I shift the focus onto the wrong thing.
It’s better to humble yourself than to have God humble you.
Several years ago, I was cruising through my daily Bible reading plan and was intent on blitzing through the book of Obadiah, which isn’t too difficult to do, given that it’s just 21 verses long. But on that day, some of the verses jumped off the page at me.
Written in the context of judgment against the nation of Edom (descended from Esau, the brother of Jacob and a “sibling” nation to Israel and Judah), the prophet issues a warning against those who sometimes find it easy to gloat when competitors or adversaries achieve a downfall.
In verse 12 and 15 (NIV), the prophet warns, “You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune... As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.”
How often have I been guilty of that?
How often have I relished the “us versus them” mentality that arose when my recommendation was proven correct and someone else’s action was proven wrong?
Being humble is a choice, and it’s one we must make every day as we endeavor to show others the same latitude of grace and mercy that Christ continues to show us.
How often have I smirked when someone I considered a “thorn in my side” was called to the carpet and reprimanded?
While any of these may be part of human nature sometimes, it certainly doesn’t mean that it’s acceptable or appropriate, especially when serving in ministry.
But as techs, there are times we fall into a self-centered and prideful pattern of thinking this way, and it’s something we must all be intentional about changing.
I heard it said once that it’s better to humble yourself than to have God humble you.
Any time I find myself having the wrong thoughts or attitude, I need to quickly take that to the Lord in prayer and repentance. It’s a process to constantly have the right perspective, and it’s a daily choice. Better to try to make that choice daily than to let my flesh have its way and then have no choice but for God to humble me.
Remember, as James references a Proverb in James 4:6 (NIV), “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Some translations use the phrase that God “gives grace” to the humble.
I don’t know about you, but I need all the grace I can get, because I mess up plenty! When I focus on others’ mistakes though, not my own, I act as if they’re less deserving of that grace than I am.
When I’m willing to overlook others’ faults and rally as a team to achieve a “family business”-type of success, then I open myself up to the same response from others when I inevitably fail. But mocking, harshness, and cynicism may feel good in the moment, but a time will come when those come back on me. What I sow, I reap.
Being humble is a choice, and it’s one we must make every day as we endeavor to show others the same latitude of grace and mercy that Christ continues to show us.
