A Lesson in Humility

The other night I was at my Taekwondo school, sitting and waiting for my class to begin.  That's when I noticed the school's owner outside the window.

Before I explain what he was doing, I think it's important to first see what he has accomplished in his lifetime so far.

He graduated from the Korea National Sport University,  #1 in his graduating class, and is currently a 7th Degree Black Belt.  He was awarded many commendations from the President's Council of the United States, the  WTF (World Taekwondo Federation)  and the Korean Olympic Committee. 

With this list of credentials, he is clearly at the top of his field. 

Yet I saw him outside, with a small bag and paper towel, picking up cigarette butts that had been carelessly tossed aside.  There was a peaceful look on his face as he did this.  No frustration, no anger, he was just calmly doing something that needed to be done.

This lesson on humility came to me by observing his life. 

I could not help but think of Jesus' teaching, "The greatest among you will be your servant.  For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." Matthew 23:11-12 (NIV)

In Philippians 2:3-11, Paul tells us,

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

 Who, being in very nature God,

    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing

    by taking the very nature of a servant,

    being made in human likeness.

 And being found in appearance as a man,

    he humbled himself

    by becoming obedient to death—

        even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

    and gave him the name that is above every name,

 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

    to the glory of God the Father.

I'm humbled and challenged by this. 

Do we seek to have others serve us rather than serve them?  Oh, we may not ask them to do tasks for us, but we might be expecting them to serve our egos, present us with praise, treat us as we expect, desire, or often demand to be treated.

Something to think about.