Of the Humble Sort

by Paula McBride

The cruise control was set and traffic was light, so my mind began to wander as I headed toward my old home town to meet up with long-time friends. I drifted all the way back to my childhood and reflected on precious friends God has brought into my life over the years. A common thread knit them all together: each of them was of the humble sort. I was unbelievably shy and introverted, so flashy, popular kids scared me to death. In primary school, it was Eleanor, a very quiet girl, a bit developmentally delayed, who opened her heart to me. In middle school, Carol, a sweetheart with terrible eczema opened her heart and her home. As years passed, I stayed in the fringe groups, hanging out with the humble.

God worked on my timidity, though, and as an adult, I am more confident of who I am as His child. I have friends on both ends of the social and financial spectrum and have found that God weaves both the wealthy and the needy into the fabric of His kingdom. The common thread is still humility. I have no need to compare myself or my status with my brothers and sisters in Christ;

So, just what is this humility that attracted me to my friends? A dictionary definition might say being of low estate, seeing others higher than themselves. This is different from low self-esteem which focuses on self. Humility focuses on others. Humility is a characteristic of our own Lord Jesus, who “being found in appearance as a man, humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). we are all part of one masterpiece.

Humility is the element in a friendship that fosters connection. You and your friend are on “the same page.” The prophet Amos wrote, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed (Amos 3:3 KJV)? C.S. Lewis wrote, “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You, too? I thought I was the only one.”

Humility gives a person a “Yes Face.” It is said that Thomas Jefferson gave a traveler a ride on his horse across a dangerously swollen river. The traveler, unaware of Jefferson’s status, was asked why he chose to ask that man for such an outrageous favor. The traveler simply said, “Some faces say ‘no’ while on others the word ‘yes’ is written.” Mr. Jefferson had a "yes" face.

Biblical humility, as we grow in Christ-likeness is a heart attitude, not just an outward demeanor. It is empty of selfish ambition or vain conceit, as Paul wrote earlier in Philippians 2. “Rather, in humility value other above yourselves” (verse 3).

I arrived at my friend’s home, and was glad I had prayed that I would be a blessing to the group as we swam, ate, and talked of those things we have in common. They, in turn, blessed me by “being of the humble sort.” May we be that kind of friend who has a “Yes Face”, the result of humility that attracts others to the best Friend of all, our Lord Jesus Christ.