Always Be Humble and Kind

In the Old Testament, (from whence our “peopleness” took root) humility is most closely associated with lowliness and affliction.  No one wants to be “lowly” or “afflicted” so why in the world would we ever aspire to be “humble.”

While pondering upon this thought, I’m reminded (once again) of an exchange I had a long time ago with someone who was once a very close relationship to me. I had been suffering (afflicted) with some dire financial circumstances and had to go on food stamps and had received some financial help from church and friends.

This person said to me (in disgust), “Don’t you have any pride?”  I felt ashamed, embarrassed and yes, “lowly” — that I needed help. (Be mindful that this person was not helping or offering to help but did indeed have some responsibility in the situation)

That I needed help made me feel dependent upon the “mercy” of others.  Not once in those days was I allowed or encouraged to recognize that it was okay to be dependent upon God’s mercy, and that He often uses others/His people as conduits of His Mercy.

I did know that God was answering prayers for us, but the voices that were loudest and most condemning from the enemy expressed it as my “lack of pride and lack of self-sufficiency.”  So rather than allowing myself to find and feel comfort in grace, I felt heavily cloaked in shame and … PRIDE.

Our society is hell-bent on self-sufficiency.  And again, humility is NOT a natural human instinct.  In fact, as much as many of us say we want to be more “like Christ”, we continue to bow down and emulate character based upon pride and selfishness.  Neither of which reflect Jesus Christ.

For several years and especially of late, I am troubled and stressed by the times in which we exist with one another.  I feel like we are at the top of a hill and being able to see in both directions … and we don’t know which side of this crest to “slide down.”  I feel anxiety, fear, passion and I’m embarrassed to say too much animosity (which is usually fostered by anxiety and fear).  I see these same attributes demonstrated in others, regardless of their politics or religion or lack of either.

Before all the rain, there was a beautiful day a few weeks ago and I headed to the banks of the Hiwassee in Reliance where I often find peace, solace and connection with My Maker.  There’s a large rock near the Old Church that I call “Ouiser’s Rock”, and I set up there to write/read/pray/think.

On this particular day, the water was flowing freely … without a care. I, on the other hand, felt worn down by the passions of my heart.  I really do care about the situation facing our nation.  I truly am disheartened, stressed and frightened not only by the obvious corruption but also the passivity or lack of engagement necessary to stand up for what is TRUTH and RIGHT!

There’s nothing secure about any of this … and that causes my “peopleness” to manifest in ways that are not always reflective of my Savior and My Creator.  I KNOW … He IS SOVEREIGN. I KNOW none of the current affairs take Him by surprise.  But I ALSO KNOW that His Heart aches by our behaviors, actions and inactions, and the aspects of our “peopleness” that wreak havoc on our hearts/souls.

I sat by the river … seeking solace, connection … forgiveness … and restoration of an ‘humble and kind” spirit.

With Bible in hand, I turned to Philippians 2 … specifically verses 14-16,

“Do all things without complaining and disputing that you may become blameless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights of the world, holding fast the word of life so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”

Philippians 4:6-7, says, “Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

I admit, I desperately need that “peace that surpasses all understanding” because there is SO MUCH taking place in our world that I simply cannot understand.  Some have said, “disconnect from it all…” — “don’t watch TV …” — “there’s nothing you can do about it so why worry?”

I can’t seem to “flow” that way.  It’s contrary to who I am.  It feels as if that would be choosing a path of naiveté or apathy.  And so I read a bit further …

Philippians 4:8, “Finally, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report … if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.”

Not once does it say “completely ignore the lies, undignified or unrighteousness, the unjust, the corrupted, the ugly, or the bad reports” …

To me it says … FIND SOLACE IN THE GOOD THINGS that ought to overshadow and outweigh all the bad.   It does not say “take PRIDE” in the good things … it says plainly to “meditate on the good things” and the “peace of God will be with you.”

In my opinion, I think the enemy uses PRIDE as a blinder to the true, noble, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, praiseworthy aspects of life.  I think PRIDE and SELFISHNESS and even “self-sufficiency” go hand in hand.  There’s nothing HUMBLE and KIND about PRIDE.   There’s nothing GODLY about PRIDE … they are completely polar opposites.  PRIDE inhibits repentance, forgiveness, cooperation, collaboration, community, and COMMUNION with God and each other.

Don’t you have any pride?  That’s like asking … “Don’t you want to be sinful and separated from God?”

I’m at a midlife stage of my journey on this earth.  From the crest of that hill I can see from whence I’ve come … and looking toward the rest of my journey.  I want to take stock of my priorities and relationships and direction … and YES, PURPOSE.  I want to be productive, spiritually fruitful and full of joy … TRUSTING GOD.  I don’t want to live the rest of my life basking in pride/stress/anxiety/fear of my own peopleness, or that of my fellow man.

In these United States … in this precious gift we call DEMOCRACY … where each of us (regardless of race, creed, ethnicity, age, gender, lifestyle, socioeconomic status) matters … each of us counts … each of are free to live, worship, think, express, love (and unfortunately hate) and work together for “COMMONUNITY” — for common good — WE need to let go of our PRIDE and PEOPLENESS so that WE can at the very least preserve the idea of freedom and the true freedoms we hold so dear.

WE don’t have to always agree … but that doesn’t need to destroy the “WE.”

Sitting on the banks of the Hiwassee, I’m reminded of a poem I wrote about 40 years ago.

My River

(by Carole Hicks — 1978)

The river flows widely down its way.

It changes a bit from day to day.

I stand on the bank, in awe to see,

Its beauty and ability to be so free.

Cool and clear the water flows.

Oh, what Grace, My River shows.

I think … maybe if I/we could see the life of the river as an illustration or metaphor of how I/we should exist in this world … exist with our surroundings … adapt to changes and yet maintain our beauty as well as our purpose … I/we could be more humble and kind.

From all the recent rains, the waters become angry and out of banks … then there’s destruction … there’s stress/anxiety/fear.  But when the waters return to its humble place and flow, even though some things change in that flood, the beauty and grace are still intact.

Great clarity comes from the sitting by the river’s edge.