Humility?!? I'm The Most Humble Person I KNOW!

Well, let's talk a minute about humility-and about how I must have the most in the world.

So, if you're catching my drift, you may also be catching the sarcastic tone I'm writing in. Recently some events took place in my life that really hurt my feelings. People said things. People did things. It hurt my feelings. Regardless of whether they meant to or not, people made me feel little, small, unimportant and worth betraying.

What really impacted me more than the actions of others though was the way I responded. I got angry. By angry I mean I wanted to flick someone off--haha. Which if you know me, I am nearly physically incapable of doing that (mostly because I'm a closet goody-two-shoes). I thought mean thoughts, hoping the people who hurt me would be hurt by someone else. I was also hoping that I could pout in such a way that they would know just by seeing me how upset at them I was and that they would immediately fall at my feet, sheepishly begging for my forgiveness....

The forgiveness I was unwilling to give without a grandiose apology; the forgiveness I was unwilling to consider until I got what I "deserved" (whatever I wanted) from them; the forgiveness I wanted to hand out begrudingly so they would understand how important and special I truly am. The same forgiveness I was granted freely by God through Christ.

I've been challenged at work to choose a verse that would help "inspire" me in some way: professionally, personally, whatever. I've been asked to select a verse that would remind me that Christ is the center of everything. Interestingly enough, the verse I keep coming to is
Matthew 10:7-8:

"And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give."

I know this verse isn't talking about forgiveness. I know there are plenty of other verses that are. But what has struck me over and over again about this verse is the last part: "Freely you received, freely give." That phrase covers the attitude I ought to have in so many situations. It shows the attitude I'm lacking.

I have a problem with humility. I am admitting it. I'm getting help...from the only One who can help me. So, humbly I go, seeking to give freely since He has given so freely to me.