Humility

If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn’t love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal.1 Corinthians 13:1

In the denomination in which I serve, many leaders volunteer on boards and oversee national ministry areas. I’m constantly challenged and thrilled by this sleek and sophisticated coporate world. One weekend I was invited to participate in one of the board’s high-intensity meetings, and I was proud when I kept up with the complicated discussions. I was funny, perceptive, and well prepared—all leadership gifts God had blessed me with. The experience was very affirming.

But leaving that corporate boardroom for my rural parish was disheartening. Most of my parishoners, many of whom were retired, have never lived outside the country. The fast pace and constant change of the business world is foreign to their experience. I felt that they didn’t appreciate my abilities.

When I arrived home, I unenthusiastically visited a terminally ill man. His wife answered the door, obviously exhausted from a night of caring for him, and said, “Janet and Mel, our friends, are coming over to stay with Joe while I take a nap. Would you mind sitting with him until they arrive? They wanted to talk and pray with you.”

When Mel came, he walked over to his lifelong friend and said, “Joe, it’s Mel here. Give me your hand, and we’ll just sit.” Mel’s palm held his friend’s forehead in a tender blessing. “I love you, Joe,” he said before kissing that same forehead. Still holding Joe’s hand, Mel sat down with Janet and me. Intermittently Joe would moan, and Mel assured him of his presence and that he loved him.

We closed our time together with prayer. As I left, I glanced through the picture window to see Mel rearranging Joe’s pillows, the whole time holding his friend’s hand. that day I had seen true greatness—greatness you often don’t experience in the boardroom. It humbled me.

—Mary C. Miller

Reflection

Do I unconsciously peg people as “important” or “not important” and treat them accordingly?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you loved the weak, the sick, the poor. I would follow your lead—but, if I’m honest, I admit that I, too, often prefer the strong, the healthy, and the comfortable. Forgive my lack of copassions, and help me to see beyond the surface.

“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.”
—Arthur Ashe, late tennis star