the wisdom to be humble

are you a humble believer who always gives credit where credit is due? if so, you are both wise and blessed.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer observed, "It is very easy to overestimate the importance of our own achievements in comparison with what we owe others." how true, how true it is may i say, don't you agree? even those of us who consider ourselves "self-made" men and women are deeply indebted to more people than we can count. our first and greatest indebtedness, of course, is to God and HIS only begotten SON. but we are also indebted to ancestors, parents, teachers, friends, spouses, family members, coworkers, fellow believers.......and the list goes on.

with so many people who rightfully deserve to share the credit for our successes, how can we gloat? the answer, of course, is that we should not. but we inhabit in a world in which far too many of our role models are remarkably haughty and surprisingly self-centered (hopefully, these are not your role models)

the Bible contains stern warning against the sin of pride. one such warning is found in Prov 16:8: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (NKJV). God's Word makes it clear: pride and destruction are traveling companions (but hopefully, they're not your traveling companions)

Jonathan Edwards said this, "Nothing sets a person so much out of the devil's reach as humility." so, if you're celebrating a worthwhile accomplishment, don't invite the devil to celebrate with you. instead of puffing your chest and saying, "Look at me!" give credit where credit is due, starting with God. and rest assured: there is no such thing as a self-made man. all of us are made by God.........and HE deserves the glory, not us.

remember this (especially young people): if you're going to make fun of somebody......let it be yourself. you can't really laugh with other people until they know you're willing to laugh at yourself. good day all !!!

quote of the day:

"Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being humble. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation." by St. Augustine