Scripture
A man’s pride will bring him low,
But a humble spirit will obtain honor. Proverbs 29:23

Observation
Dr. Wingrove Taylor was a stately man. With the lilt of a Caribbean accent, greying hair against his rich black skin, he looked every bit the church statesman that he was. An astute orator, his preaching skills had won him the respect of the West Indies where he was the General Superintendent of his denomination. Yet humility seemed to be his middle name. While speaking at an international conference for his church, Dr. Taylor was seen peddling a bicycle in his neatly pressed suit. He had been offered a rental car to take him to his hotel. But the seasoned veteran turned it down. He explained with a twinkle in his eye, “The bicycle is good for my heart.”

I think Dr. Taylor had more in mind than just his cardiovascular system. In a gathering of many leaders, he knew that the humble way would do his spirit good. It wasn’t his speaking gift that led him to the honour of leadership. It was his humility.

Pride is a bull’s-eye that attracts attack. Even those without discernment can detect pride and they hate it. God detests it as well. Natural and supernatural events happen to give a person a chance to be humble.

Humility is the most stable place, for the ground is always steady at the bottom. Humility is attractive and in time awarded. But to the humble the rewards don’t matter. Thomas Edison kept his medallions in canning jars on a shelf. That’s the attitude of the honourable.

Application
Being in the low place is not a choice in life, it is inevitable. The only choice I have is whether I will be there willingly or unwillingly. Today I choose to be low so that at least my lowness can be of use to God and bring him glory. Corrie ten Boom, when applauded, would lift her hands and eyes to heaven as if lifting up a bouquet. She would explain that she was just giving her flowers back to God.

Prayer
Father, today I embrace Jesus and let his humility soak into my heart. Amen.