Humility is seen in the capacity to do what needs to be done. Humility includes not thinking oneself greater than others, but the evidence of humility is a willingness to step forward instead of hanging back. It is seen in giving a hand, rather than waiting for others to lead the way most of the time.
Often it is pride, not humility, that causes us not to speak up, not to ask a question, not to volunteer or express one's opinions. Pride inhibits boldness.
In a group setting, I once asked for a volunteer to come forward and play the piano for a song we would sing. No one moved. Finally, someone coaxed a young woman to go forward.
She played superbly! I assume she had believed that humility required her kind of reluctance. But that's not humility—it was actually a form of pride that protected her from looking pushy or bold. Humility would have offered to help right away.
Jesus was humble. But he did not hang back. He did what had to be done; He gave what he had to give.
He showed us that obedience and helpfulness are the true marks of humility.
Or to put it another way . . . too many people assume that to 'be humble', they must put themselves down, or to minimize the contribution they could make. This prevents them from offering service, love, and support to people when the opportunity arises. The desire to be perceived as 'humble' leads to much wrong thinking.
Let me leave you with this thought . . .
Humility is NOT thinking less of yourself.
Humility is thinking less about yourself.
Perhaps, in being concerned that you be perceived as humble, you are thinking too much about yourself, instead of thinking about the contribution you could make, the service you could offer, the help you could provide.
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