Good morning, friends! This post has been on my mind for a while. What I'm about to say might sound strange at first because, of course, we all know humility is a valuable trait. But over the past year, I had a moment of clarity that showed me just how deeply humility affects every part of my life.
It all started during an ordinary drive home from a friend's birthday party. I plugged my phone into the car, and out of nowhere, CarPlay decided to open the Podcast app — an app I NEVER use — and began playing a random sermon by Miles Fidell from Auburn Community Church. (Unfortunately, I didn't catch the episode name and haven't been able to find it since, but I'm still looking.) My first instinct was to switch back to Spotify and get back to the music I had planned on listening to. But something stopped me. I thought, "This is kind of strange… maybe I'm supposed to hear this?” So I let it play.
The core message of that sermon was this: we are nothing without the LORD. Talk about a humbling statement, right? It's not that I hadn't heard it before. But the way Miles delivered it hit me differently. Without God, I am nothing. I literally wouldn't exist without Him. This wasn't just a piece of theology; it was an eye-opener to my place in the world. Sure, compared to God, I'm like a grain of sand in the vast desert of existence. But what does that actually mean in the day-to-day? How do I live humbly, acknowledging that reality?
As I reflected, I realized there's so much more to humility than just lowering my own importance or constantly submitting to others. Humility is a mindset — one that requires taking a step back and seeing my life from a higher perspective. To me, humility now means understanding my place in the hierarchy of life, both big and small. It's not about diminishing myself; it's about knowing where I fit in and accepting my role with grace.
Let's start with the home. In my household, I'm called to be a leader for my family. What does that look like? Sometimes it's doing the mundane and tedious like doing the dishes, cooking dinner, folding clothes, or running errands on a Saturday instead of going out to play golf. Other times, it's making the tough calls, setting boundaries, or making decisions that benefit the family even if my wife might disagree. Humility in this context is accepting the responsibilities that come with my role — whether that's serving my family or leading them.
Now, let's talk about work. At my job, I'm nothing extraordinary. I'm an individual contributor with no direct reports or big responsibilities. I have a boss, who has a boss, and I respect that chain of command. But humility doesn't mean I undervalue myself. I've come to realize that I do have influence, even if it's not in an official leadership capacity. There are people with less experience than me, and even though I'm not their manager, I can still mentor, guide, and be a positive influence. Humility here means recognizing where I stand, but also understanding that I still have a role to play.
No matter what your role is — whether you're a CEO, a junior engineer, an office coordinator, or an intern — you have influence over others, and others have influence over you. Humble leaders aren't those who downplay their abilities; they are the ones who understand their place in the hierarchy and step into their roles with confidence and grace.
So, here's my challenge to you: Take some time to reflect on your own life. Where do you fit in the various roles you play? What responsibilities come with those roles, and how can you step into them humbly and confidently? Whether it's in your home, at work, or in your community, humility isn't about diminishing yourself — it's about embracing your place with a spirit of service and understanding. And most importantly, remember: Without the LORD, we are nothing. Everything we are, everything we have, flows from Him.
I'd love to hear your thoughts. How do you practice humility in your life? Do you agree with this perspective? Feel free to reach out!