I had an unusual conversation a few days ago. I was talking with one of our staff members, and she made a strange statement. As we often do, we were chatting about the upcoming school year. She looked at me just as serious and said, “You have to be humble to work at Pathway.” I was taken aback by her statement because I wasn’t sure what she meant. She saw the look on my face, and she followed up with, “That is a good thing, Mrs. Worthington! Jesus was humble.”
We began to discuss this point, and I continued to think about it long after our conversation was over. As I contemplated her statement, I came to the realization that humility is necessary to serve in any Christian ministry. In fact, one of the character traits of a Christian should be humility.
Our Savior was humble. In Philippians 2: 6-8, Paul teaches that Jesus did not think He was too good to come to earth as an infant. He was Almighty God. Not only did He come as a baby, but He was born in a stable among the animals. Another example of Jesus’ humility was in John 13:3-5. He washed the disciples’ feet, and through His example He taught them how to serve Him as well as others.
When I think of cleaning someone’s feet, it is not a pleasant thought. And people in Bible times did not have access to daily showers. They walked everywhere they went. Honestly, I had never cleaned an adult’s feet until recently. But I have learned that I can do it. My mother-in-law is in the nursing home, and she is unable to wash her feet herself. They smelled strong because her toes were dirty, and I cleaned them one by one. I loved her enough to do this for her.
A willingness to do any task is an important manifestation of humility. Jesus did not mind doing the lowest of tasks. The washing of feet was designated for servants. Many people in the church, home, and workplace have the idea that certain tasks are beneath them. Besides cleaning up after ourselves, we need to be willing to help others. If we see someone struggling, we need to lend a helping hand. If trash needs dumping, dump it. If paper is on the floor, pick it up. If dishes need washing, wash them. We must remember every job is important. In I Corinthians 12, Paul describes the Church as a body. Just as each part of our body is important, so is each member of the church. If we doubt it, just stub one of our toes! We must keep our attitude in check when we are asked to do something out of our job description or our comfort zone. Isn’t a Christian’s job description, “Whatever you need, Lord!”?
Another way Jesus manifested humility was by following rules. He followed all of the Scripture, and He followed man’s laws unless they contradicted Scripture. In Matthew 22:21, the crowd asked Jesus if they were supposed to pay taxes. What did He say? Pay the tax!
I Peter 2:21-23 reminds us that Jesus never sinned nor was He ever unkind. Jesus was God so technically He had the authority to change the rules, but He didn’t. What do you think would happen to our faith if we saw Jesus breaking a rule? Perhaps He told a lie? What would it do to our faith?
We are God’s children. We would be mortified if we saw God break a rule. What happens when our children see us disobey a rule? When they are young, we may be able to pull the wool over their eyes, but when they grow up, it doesn’t work anymore. Is that not the height of pride? It is ok for me, but not for you. Do what I say, not what I do.
When we do things we tell our children not to do, we are prideful. This should not be. How can we possibly think the rules don’t apply to us? Some situations are too difficult for them to understand. I am notspeaking of those. I am referring to things we consider immoral or sinful.
This also happens in the workplace, at church, on the highway, and countless other places. We expect others to obey the rules we feel are important, but if we don’t like the rules, then we don’t care. Who do we think we are? Are we saying that we are above the rules? How can we expect our children and others to obey the rules if we don’t?
What rules do we often disobey? The most obvious of these are the traffic laws. I constantly watch cars fly by me. How many times do we correct our children about their tone of voice? What about our attitude when we correct them?
James chapter 3 has a lot of good admonitions about the tongue. Christian parent, how do we speak in front of our children? How many people do we rake over the coals or criticize? How often do we speak to our children in a derogatory manner? Is this not a rule that we often break? Do we treat others the way we want to be treated? It is prideful to pick and choose which rules we will follow and which ones we will ignore. Isn’t it pride that convinces us it is not that big of a deal?
When we don’t follow through on our responsibilities, it is prideful. Sometimes we rationalize and say, well I did this job and I did this job. But I am not doing this one because I don’t want to; I don’t have time, etc.
What would you do if you asked your child to clean the windows, and you came home and your child said, “I helped with the dishes, but I didn’t clean the windows?” Many of us would say, “I am glad you helped with the dishes, but I told you to do the windows.” The next day you come home and your child says, “I mowed the grass for you, but I did not wash the windows.” What would your reaction be? I know what mine would be. Someone would be in trouble. Isn’t that what we do when we pick and choose what rules to obey and which ones to ignore, which ones we feel are important, and which ones we feel we don’t need to do? Isn’t that the height of pride to feel we can pick and choose what our authority tells us to do? Why don’t we like to be corrected? Hopefully, it is because we don’t like to disappoint. But many times, it is our pride.
How dare anyone correct me? It is even worse when we ignore what Jesus tells us to do or ignore His correction. When we don’t do what Jesus wants us to do, we miss His will for our lives. We are in rebellion.
In order to teach in any capacity, whether as a parent, employer, school teacher, or friend, we cannot come across as a “know it all.” As we teach, we must show that we do not know all things about anything. We cannot expect others to always do things our way. The attitude of, “My way or the highway” is not representing the true Christian spirit! Our Lord did know everything, but He was full of compassion. When Nicodemus came to Him by night, Jesus taught him. He did not rebuke him for coming in secret.
We also have to be willing to admit when we are wrong. Unfortunately, I have had to admit I am wrong to my children, my staff, and my students on more occasions than I would like to admit. When we are willing to admit we are wrong, this humble spirit shows the people we come in contact with that we are seeking to be like the Savior. Our Lord never had to admit He was wrong because He was perfect. I don’t have to tell you, we are a long way from perfect.
There are many areas we could discuss, but the most important area of humility is our servanthood to God. I submit that we can’t be servants to God unless we are humble in all areas of life. If we are not humble as a servant, employee, parent, husband, wife, or in other relationships, how can we be a humble servant to God?
In Matthew 20:28, the Scripture states Jesus came to minister. Sometimes we can be so full of ourselves. Our lives here are supposed to be about ministering to others, not ministering to ourselves. We are servants. Our attitudes should be, “I am your servant. I am here to serve you.”
Who are we here to serve? We are here to serve our Lord Jesus Christ by reaching out to a lost and dying world. Let’s not forget our purpose! It is always to seek out, to witness, and to disciple! What are we going to do about it? Serve others with humility and figuratively wash their feet.
Mrs. Worthington has five children and eleven grandchildren. She serves as Principal of Pathway Christian Academy in Goldsboro.