The Pursuit of Humility

In one of the last chapters of our book, my friend and co-author, Mike Fontenot, wrote on “The Pursuit of Humility.” This week I want to share some of his words with you:

My goal is put forth by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:2: “Be completely humble and gentle…” (emphasis added). Not just humble—completely humble. In view of that statement we all have much more progress to make, and that means all of us need to make the pursuit of humility a serious priority. Humility is so contrary to our nature that we will not have it without a passionate desire for it.

Paul tells the Colossian Christians,

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12, emphasis added)

To walk out of our rooms or homes without first clothing ourselves with humility is to walk out spiritually naked. A leader who walks into a meeting without humility is spiritually naked. The disciple who tries to share his faith without humility is spiritually naked. As in the fairy tale, everyone sees it as it is, and someone inevitable will shout out, “The emperor is naked!”

In the fairy tale the emperor runs off embarrassed by the youth who yells out the truth about his nakedness. God forbid that it is Jesus, our King, who tells us of our unholy apparel at the gates of heaven! Pursue humility. Clothe yourself with humility. Don’t leave home without it