THE NEED FOR HUMILITY (2) Mark 9:33-37
And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. (v35)
Dr. Paul Brand was one of the 20th century’s most respected physicians because of his work amongst lepers. His love for India’s “least of the least,’ led him to pioneer surgical techniques that surgeons still use today in orthopedic reconstruction. He was a brilliant physician, medical teacher, writer, speaker, and champion for the underdog. Philip Yancey writes. “Meeting Dr. Brand, I realized I had misconstrued humility as a negative self-image. Paul Brand obviously knew his gifts: he had finished first throughout his academic career and had attended many awards banquets honoring his accomplishments. Yet he recognized his gifts as just that, “gifts” from a loving Creator, and used them in a Christ-like way of service. When I first met him, Brand was still adjusting to life in the United States. Everyday luxuries made him nervous and he longed for a simple life close to the soil. He knew presidents, kings and celebrities, yet he rarely mentioned them. He talked openly about his failure and always deflected credit for his successes to his associates. Most impressive to me, the wisest and most brilliant man I have ever met devoted much of his life to some of the lowest people on the planet.’ Genuinely humble people seek the well-being of others. And they are very secure. They’re aware of the attributes that make them successful at whatever they do. And that security that honest, healthy self-assessment results in a humble attitude: one that translates into actions which can be observed, actions which make a difference, and a lifestyle we should want to follow. (TWFT)
PRAYER LINE: Thank You Jesus for the lessons on humility. Please let my lifestyle be humility.
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Love for God will cause you to live for God.