The Fellowship of Contentment and Humility

Muhammad Ali was one of the greatest boxers of all time. There might have been legitimate reasons for his boasting. However, to many people it was distasteful pride.

I think that, in general, people do not enjoy hearing the boasts of the strong, the powerful, the rich, the privileged. Most often it comes across as a superior attitude. It is as if the one boasting is telling everyone, "I'm better than everyone else; I'm better than YOU."

We prefer the sport star who excels yet gives credit to his teammates and coaching staff; not the one who soaks in the praise of others and then announces with pride, "Yeah, I'm all that. I'm the best. I did it." We prefer a measure of humility that makes the star seem a little more accessible to the rest of us. Whether it is a sport star, successful businessman, accomplished musician, or applauded intellectual, we appreciate those who are content to allow others to place them on a pedestal.

What about YOU? Are you content to wait on others to lift you up? Or do you run to climb up on a pedestal to announce your accomplishments? What if no one applauds your victory or your achievement? What if no one tells you, "That was a job well done" or "That was a great effort"?

Listen to the words of Solomon:

Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, 

And do not stand in the place of great men;
For it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here,"

Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, 

Whom your eyes have seen.
--Proverbs 25:6-7

When you exalt yourself you place yourself at risk of being humiliated. Yet, when you present yourself humbly, you may be exalted. Solomon reflected on this principle as it applied to life. The Apostle Peter wrote about the same principle as it applies to spiritual life.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.
--1 Peter 5:6

In this life we are unsure whether anyone will applaud our success. However, with God there is certainty.

Be content in your humility.
Be humble in your contentment.

Let God place you on a pedestal of His design.

Mark Stinnett

September 27, 2020