They became Like Fools - June 16

Today’s Readings - Psalm 78:1-39; Num. 11:1-23; Rom. 1:16-25; Matt. 17:22-27

I once knew a goodhearted man who had been promoted to a position that seemed way over his head so far as his knowledge that the position required. Those who knew him however commented that he had surrounded himself with smart experienced people, people he knew he could trust and who would advise him well. They’d remark, “He’s smart enough to know that he doesn’t know everything.”

How many times have you come across someone who is so certain they’re right that they never entertain the idea that they might be wrong? Even when the facts are staring them in the face, they refuse to give up the ship, insisting that they’re not sinking even though the water is lapping at their ears.

One of the most effective teachers I had in seminary was wise enough to allow his students the opportunity to prove their case, knowing there was a possibility they might prove him wrong. Stumbling over their own arrogance some students would set out to humiliate our teacher all the while it was clear that it wasn’t the truth they cared to reveal as much as portraying themselves as right and our teacher wrong. They placed more value on their ego than the actual process of well-intentioned healthy debate. They exchanged the good-will intentions of our teacher for the possibility of claiming to be smarter than someone with lightyears more experience, knowledge and character.

In today’s reading from Romans, Paul describes such a person; someone who would trade the glory of God, even their relationship with God for something of no actual worth: “for though they knew God, they did not honour him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools.” It’s an easy trap to fall into, especially in leadership positions or even as parents. It may feel that respect from others relies on proving your point every time, dismissing other’s opinions, as if unimportant.

Our son is working in upper state New York this summer and from our conversations it seems one of the things he has valued most about his job so far is that his bosses treat him like an adult. His opinion is valued, his experience though limited is respected and he’s been given the opportunity to execute decisions with the knowledge he might be wrong.

Humility was something that Christ modeled in so many ways, and even though he probably was right 99.9% of the time he also was willing to admit when he was wrong.  Humility is defined as a total absence of self-focus and a whole-hearted submission to God. Rather than thinking less of yourself, it puts the emphasis on valuing others. When we practice humility we recognize our spiritual dependence on God, and replace pride of self with service, acknowledging our dependence on God. All this with the knowledge that we can take no credit for our skills but rather that they are gifts from God.

Faithfully,

Sally+

Questions for Reflection and Challenge - What do you tend to take credit for without considering its source? Do you catch yourself in conversations getting caught up in the need to be right rather than stepping back and allowing the possibility that you could be wrong? How might your relationships with others improve if you were more generous and less ego-driven?