The Way of Humility

Proverbs 25:6-7
Luke 14:1, 7-14

In the gospel Jesus tells us a story to demonstrate that the way of humility is the better way. When you are an invited guest, never assume that you are the top guest. Always assume the lowest position. It is then up to others to invite you to the top table. It is a cute little story. The punch line of the story (and it is this that we are to hear, not so much the cuteness of the story) is that “all who exalt themselves will be humbled and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

We are told much the same in the wisdom literature, “don’t push yourself forward or stand with the great, take a lower position and others may invite you forward.”

I think we miss the point if we see the story Jesus told and the wisdom passage as a way to get to the top—a kind of strategy, a tactic for getting where you want to get. (And the passages may be taken that way. “If you want to get to the top table. Take a lower position. You are sure to be noticed and invited up.”) To read it that way is to agree with the perspective that says, “the top is where we are going.”

Socrates said that, “virtue is its own reward.” It is a good in itself. Virtue is not a means to end. Humility is not to be sought because it gets you to the top. Humility is good in itself. Intrinsically good.

Yet, it is quite clear that this is not the way of much of life. In both secular society and in religious communities, we often face the very opposite.

In secular life, we find ourselves part of systems and bureaucracies in which it is hard to take the way of humility. For example, in the academy to get on, you have to demonstrate “excellence” in teaching, in scholarship and in service. Yet, it is not others who observe you to have these things; you must demonstrate it yourself. You must “blow your own trumpet.” It is quite distasteful and breeds all kinds of resentments, unhealthy competition and angst.

Within churches and between churches there is often a very sharp competitive edge. There is a vying with one another to demonstrate that our version of religion is the best; that we offer the most, that our view of God is superior. It can be ruthless and cutthroat, particularly where money is involved.

We have tried to abandon that kind of religion.

The way of humility is something other. It is, in fact, not a tactic of the shrewd, but rather a way of life that reflects the nature of God. In reflecting the nature of God, it is a way that prefers the other above yourself, that honors the other, that seeks the other’s very best.

In the Way of Living of the Lindisfarne Community, in the understandings, we have:

5. Such a life must be characterized by humility. We aspire to be honest, real and down-to-earth. Humility is opposed to the arrogance, isolation and deception that pride brings. We accept our spiritual poverty, our limitations and dependency and also accept responsibility for the use of our gifts and strengths for the service of God. The humble are willing to receive as well as to give. Humility respects and esteems others. It is a form of the love that does not seek its own way. We seek to be a grace-filled community as we “wash one another's feet.”

We have tried to capture there something of the flavor the way of humility.

I do not think it is an easy path.

Two questions occur to me: a) Humility is counterintuitive. Why would we choose a humble life? b) If humility reflects the nature of God, then why does God appear in so many tellings not full of humility but rather hubris?

The great philosopher Nietzsche said that humility is a weakness, rather than a virtue. If the meaning of life is the will to power, to gain, to achieve, to reach the top, then it is fairly clear that humility is weak. You see little humility in great politicians, film stars, and sports personalities. The people our society loves and lauds are not the humble.

Yet, those who are spiritual (or seek to be) are enjoined not to emulate that kind of success, but rather to emulate God. “Be perfect, as God is perfect.” So the answer to my first question (why choose the way of humility?) is because this is the way of God.

This leads to my second question. Much God talk portrays God as “lofty, infinite, demanding worship.” “See how big and strong I am,” says God. “I am bigger and better than anyone or anything else. I demand that you pay homage to me.” If we were to find the same character traits in human beings, we would not see humility expressed!

If we are to imitate God (as the scriptures enjoin) does that mean that we are to express great pride in who we are and demand others to worship us? Clearly not.

Perhaps, our problem is that the way we humans have often portrayed God has little to do with God in Godself and more to do with our own needs of power and importance.

In the life of Jesus we see God portrayed in a different light. Here is one who refuses the adulation of crowds. Here is one who would rather slip away through the crowd than be made a king. Here is one who through example and teaching shows and tells us that the way of life is to be one of preferring others above ourselves and seeking their best as we seek to love them. For this is the way God is toward us. It is a very different view of God than potentate, dictator in the sky! Perhaps we need to re-vision God as the humble one rather than the mighty one, the servant rather than the mistress or master, the one who lays down life, denies self, in order to serve others.

To take the way of humility is then, counter to much of religious life and much of secular life— a narrow way. May we find grace to follow it.