Nelson Mandela once said, “If you are humble, you are no threat to anybody.”
Some people behave in ways that dominate others. That’s a mistake. If you want the cooperation of humans around you, you must make them feel they are important – and you do that by being genuine and humble. You know that other people have qualities that may be better than your own. Let them express them.” The wise words of South Africa’s Former President imply that humility is not self-centered but rather a quality that is inclusive of others, leading them to partner with you willingly as you support them and believe in their ability to excel. It’s non-threatening and endearing.
In his own words, Mandela reiterates what the Scriptures promote. Philippians 2:3 (New International Version) reads, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” The strength in these words is most likely what led to some of Madiba’s notable success in leading a racially divided nation in 1994 to unite and not fall into the snare of civil war and upheaval. It is a great endorsement for humility; a quality, characteristic, and principle that is highlighted in the Scriptures. Humility puts you in a favourable position to win people over. A blessing that allows you to rear forward as a leader in all that you do throughout life.
This denotes success. Unlike the common perception, which says that the aggressive ways of a tyrant are the way to put yourself in a position where things go your way, the wisdom of the Father accepts that it’s the way to failure. It is actually prideful, since it rejects the collaborative effort of others. After all, a leader is only a leader when he or she has followers.
So, it is your humble heart that puts you in a winning position. And that is exactly what the blessing of the Father is designed to do: to make you the head and not the tail.
Judging from James 4:6 (New International Version), which reads, “But He gives us more grace. That’s why the Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.” This humility is possibly the single most attractive quality to the Father. In a world that’s so focused on physical aesthetics as the basis for beauty, He focuses on the true beauty in you as a person. A beauty that He finds irresistible; He can’t help but shower you with His goodness when He witnesses your display of humility. It may have something to do, if not a lot to do, with Him seeing Himself in you, which is what our Faith is all about: maturing to be like Him. Philippians 2:5-8 (New King James Version) reads, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even to the cross.”
Messiah’s humility led Him to be like you and be sacrificed to die in your place, as payment for your sins and to successfully rise from the dead so that you could follow suit and walk away from a life of sin to rule and reign with Him eternally. At the very centre of this Gospel are the possibilities that appear when we humble ourselves like our Adonai.
Humility is an intangible quality that directs your attitude, behaviour and motives for a consistent winning result. But more importantly, humility is a supernatural power that makes the impossible possible. The ultimate result is healthy relationships with other people and the Father in all that you do. And we all want what we do to succeed. So, in your diet, enjoy the regular taste of humble pie.
Originally published in the print edition of DIVINE Magazine, Issue 02.
