Transparent Humility

I don’t know if there is any pain in the world worse than the bruising of our pride.  Having naturally delivered five babies, I do not make that comment lightly.  Physical pain is sharp and intense but gradually it heals, in the end, the scars are only a reminder.  Emotional hurts can seem devastating at the time but time heals.

When our pride is wounded, it is a different story.  Damaged pride means that someone said that we were not good enough – or we thought someone thought that we were not good enough. 

Our pride is usually most vulnerable in the areas that mean the most to us.  If you were to tell me that I am a terrible singer I would be ok with that…I am.  If you were to tell me that all of my drawings look like sick cows I would get over it.  If you were to tell me I was a poor parent or that I was selfish or that I was a terrible organizer I would take offense.  I would be hurt.

Why?  Because those are areas in my life that mean a great deal to me.  I have invested in them and diligently worked at doing well.  Are there times when I am not a very good parent?  Yes.  Are there times when I am selfish?  Yes.  Are there times when my plans fall to pieces?  Yes.  I still do not like to hear about my failures in these areas from other people.

Sometimes, or maybe even often, because of our pride we hesitate to let people get to close to us in the areas of our lives that we hold most dear.  We maintain a superficiality that acts as a skin to protect us.

“How are you?”
“Good.”  or “Fine.” or “Ok.”

How have we answered the question?  Really, we have not.

Transparent humility does not mean spilling all of our dirty laundry to whomever will listen.  Transparent humility is honestly facing where we are in our lives and being open to God’s guidance as He helps us to grow.  Sometimes that growing process hurts.  Sometimes (usually) we are humbled along the way.  Sometimes we are even brought to our knees as we are led to confess our weaknesses and failures before those from whom we most desire respect.  Not fun!

When we first started homeschooling, I looked at a curriculum package that included a report card.  There was a passage of scripture on the bottom of the card that lodged itself in my heart.

Luke 2:52
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

I tread carefully as I write this for I truly believe that Jesus is God and God is perfect.

When Jesus was born as a baby on this earth, he manifested the characteristics of a baby.  He could not walk or talk.  He could not reason.  He was not ready to lead.

As Jesus grew, prayed and sought direction from His Father, God blessed Him and led Him and molded Him into what He was to become – the Saviour of the world.  Jesus endured frustration, humiliation, physical pain and rejection on His journey to fulfilling God’s plan for Him.  He did not quit, He did not give up, He did not turn His back on God.  In fact, the harder things were for Jesus, the more He turned to His Father.

Mark 1:35
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Luke 5:16
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

John 17:1
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.

Jesus prayed in order that He might glorify God.  In your journey to becoming the person God has for you to be, are you willing to be transparent?  Are you willing to be humbled?  Are you willing to grow?