When Humility Might Just Be Enough

What is your talent? Have you thought about it? The Bible is clear that we all are gifted to some degree. In fact, you don’t really need to go to the book in order to find the message. Modern society has empowered the youngsters, encouraged them to pursue the impossible. With Disney leading the flock, the messages of, “be all you can be” has become almost a mantra. Although there are positive aspects to this, the message has definitely overshadowed one of the most important aspects of Christian living; humility.

I used to go back to the US for basketball camp in my teenage years. One particular year, I was assigned to a team that was relatively short. In basketball camp, your team is basically your platoon. You eat, sleep and play together throughout the week as you get accustomed to each other’s playing style. The assignment did not bode well for me as I quickly realized I was one of the tallest on the team. As we practiced, it became apparent that our height was going to be our biggest roadblock to success. Fortunately, I had had quite a bit of training in jumping and playing “post” (the center position) that we were not completely hopeless. In fact, I was able to nab quite a few rebounds to keep us in the game. As I felt my confidence building, I noticed one day that a short man was also playing inside with me. I was slightly irritated as I felt his infringement to what I figured was my position. However, as the week progressed, this man kept gaining rebounds and soon flushed me out of my position. As I was internally struggling with this, this man came over and gently gave me a suggestion. I ignored his assistance and soon lost my bid for one of the better rebounders. Afterwards, I asked what his “key” was. He simply stated, “I know I’m short and not that good at basketball. I just thought I would simply use what I have, my stocky body, to my advantage and gain ground. Especially, since I can’t jump.” It made sense.

Empowerment is sometimes beneficial, but how about your limitations? Knowing your limitations can be even more beneficial. Consider the Parable of the Talents in Mathew 25:14-30. We learn in the parable that each man was given a certain amount, and the amount differed. The master eventually returned to find that two of the three invested them well and one did not. The point hinges not on the fact that they had much talent, but simply that they used it well. Each of them was also under no delusion that they had more than they really had. They simply examined what they had and used them. We must do the same. We are given a certain amount of talents/gifts. We should be honest to ourselves to see what they are and what they are not. Once we recognize our limitations, perhaps we will be more inclined to appreciate others who have what you don’t. Perhaps we can set aside our pride in comparing the amount of talent others have and work hard in investing what we have. We can simply look forward to the day when the Lord to states, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Modern society has a tendency to empower each of us too much. We forget that we are limited beings. In fact God loves using the humble to shame the wise (1 Corinth 1:27). In our sermon we learned the pride of the people of Babel. Remember that we can avoid that fate by simply acknowledging God’s work in us, rather than pride in our own talents.