Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Character X (1) -- Humility

Humility is good, isn't it?

After the burial of my grandma, I got a chance to sit side by side with my wonderful aunt Har Bee. I was talking to her about what I had observed about young people of this generation. I told her: Talented, but lacking the character and attitude to succeed in life. And she nodded, agreeing on what I've said. It was very heartache to have said that, but thats what I saw from young people now a days. 


Humility is definitely one of them. From my observation, teenagers and kids are getting more and more talented. Each generation bettered the previous. Perhaps its due to DHA or the different exposure if compared to generations before. Now here is where the problem is: Because each generation is becoming more and more skilled or talented, thus for them, it doesn't make sense for them to listen and obey the orders of the older ones. Humility is not an outward action only because it requires inward decision to create an outward expression. Thus humility comes right from the inside, from the very inner part of a person.

In the scriptures God showed us how He perceive of humility. As written in Ephesians 4:2 " Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Humility meant so much to God, Israelites had struggled so much between arrogance and humility, as God had mentioned to them in 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If mt people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Humility does not only apply when we were dealing with an older personal, it also applies when we are dealing with younger personal. Normally we would have thought that humility only applies when we were talking to the elders, however I believe a stronger humility comes when we are able to be humble to listen to the younger ones. We take one example from the bible as an example: David and King Saul. King Saul had a very humble beginning, having orginated from the smallest tribe in Israel yet God gave him the throne because of his humility in his early days. On the other hand David was a teenagers during the reign of King Saul, and there was this giant Goliath from the Philistine. David offered King Saul that he would fight Goliath, however he looked too small and skinny compared to his opponent. At that moment King Saul was humble enough to have listen to this young little teenage boy who does shepherding and agree to let him goes to the battle. And the outcome? The giant was down.

Matthew 18:3-5 "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." Jesus Himself is the greatest act of humility, having come down from heaven to earth to be with us, suffered and crucified on the cross. He honored the elders and welcomed the children. Humility meant thousands to God, for God is always searching for a humble heart that He could use to turn this generation up side down.

My grandma of my mother's side had passed away last Tuesday. She was an angel when she was living her life on earth: never complain, never scolding, never criticizing; always joyful, always encouraging, always comforting. She might looked ordinary in many people's eyes, but not mine. She was a warrior, a true warrior with a gentle heart. Her humility and love towards others made me felt more for losing her. 

Young people, respect the elders and listen to the younger ones. 




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