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Thought for the Week
It’s common to hear statements to the effect that pride frees us to become our true selves. But this is false pride. Instead, we must reverse the formula. For it’s humility that frees us to become our true selves, and false pride—pride as a goal rather than a natural outcome—that keeps us from becoming our true selves. Karen Swallow Prior writes:
“Once, when asked by a student at a lecture, ‘Miss O’Connor, why do you write?’ (Flannery O’Connor) answered, ‘Because I’m good at it.’ At first glance, this reply might seem conceited or proud. But the truth is that knowing what we are good at and what we are not…is the essence of true humility. Before O’Connor knew for certain what she was good at, she kept a prayer journal. In it, she wrote, ‘Dear God, please give me some place, no matter how small, but let me know it and keep it. If I am the one to wash the second step every day, let me know it and let me wash it and let my heart overflow with love washing it.’”
Pursue true humility, and in doing so you will discover your true self. In knowing your true self, you will be freed to pursue your true calling. And in pursuing your true calling, you will experience true pride. For, as C.S. Lewis writes:
“When the redeemed soul…learns at last that she has pleased Him whom she was created to please, there will be no room for vanity. With no taint of what we should now call self-approval, she will most innocently rejoice in the thing that God has made her to be. And the moment which heals her old inferiority complex forever will also drown her (false) pride. Perfect humility dispenses with modesty.”
Humbleness is so compelling. Rather than pride, it brings a sweet confidence with it, a God-gifted confidence.
This is wonderful!
That reminds me of the quote from Chariots of Fire, by the Scottish runner Eric Liddel, “When I run I feel the pleasure of God.”
An excellent example, Pete.
I had a long talk with God today about this very subject, and this blog is the first thing I read afterward. It seems ridiculous that someone my age would still be struggling with questions about purpose, but it’s a sad truth. Thank you for these insights.
I can relate, Rob. I’m preaching to myself when I write things like this.
I thought I was alone thinking about how can I still be asking about my purpose!?
Same here! My granddaughter turned 30 last month. My great-grandson just turned 9. And I am still asking God about my purpose.
I’m thinking that for many of us, our purpose changes with the seasons of our lives. Parents of young children fulfill a different purpose, for example, than parents of empty nesters. Best to err on the side of caution and seek counsel from God no matter how old we are!
I needed to read this, thank you.
My privilege.
As always, I enjoyed reading your blog. I have been having some trouble posting lately. Perhaps you can help.
A few questions:
Have you had any trouble posting?
What program are you using to prepare your blogs?
For many years Windows Writer worked for me but it does not anymore. Any suggestions?
Hi Irvin. Don’t know if I can be of any help, but here goes: I write and edit short posts directly in WordPress (I always use the Classic mode, never Blocks). I write longer posts in Microsoft Word, then copy and paste them into WordPress.
Thanks for your thoughts. Blocks are difficult.
Thank you for this, Mitch.
Your words, and how you put things together — always such a Blessing!
Thank you, dear Matilda. So glad.
Humility runs counter to so much of what we are taught in our culture…..but I agree that it is the best way.
Powerful quotes and your commentary adds personal perspective and passion. Thanks, Mitch. I had to read them a few times to marinate in it.
Somewhere (perhaps Lewis) I read that humility is not thinking less of oneself (i.e. putting oneself down, which is false humility, pride disguising itself) but rather simply not thinking at all of oneself.
When we visited the Grand Canyon, I did not stand there thinking, Oh what a wonder that “I” can see this. I was too enraptured with the wonder, and “I” was not on my mind at all, humbly in awe of the Canyon.
❤️&🙏, c.a.
Exactly. Btw, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less” is a quote by Rick Warren that is often misattributed to C.S. Lewis.
Humility. This is something I discovered years ago. It does provide a lot of freedom.