Humble Pie

In my youth, one of the worst dishes you could be served was "humble pie."  Just as unsavory was having to "eat your own words" or "eat crow," none of which were acceptable to any Red-Blooded American.  The mantras that wound our clocks were "American Pride!" and "Union Proud!" and "Take pride in yourself!"

Due to our rejection of a king over us and our strong desire for individual freedom, we took the posture that we would "bow to no man!"  But the idea of not bowing before a man-appointed king, translated to not being humbled before anyone for any reason.  Having this pride in self, for many, took on the form of be filled with self-pride.

The trouble with this pride, which was the foundation of the first sin in which Eve was seduced with the temptation "when you eat of it [forbidden fruit] your eyes will be open, and you will be like God" (Gen 3:5),  is that it is still the root of all sin.  It compromises our faith and trust in God, misplacing both in ourselves.

We begin to think of ourselves as "captains of our own destiny" and "masters of our own fate."  We begin to truly think we are totally in control of our lives and that we can do what we want, when we want because we are Americans, born free and proud!  But the truth is, "You don't even know what will happen tomorrow....Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'  As it is, you boast and brag.  All such boasting is evil" (Js 4:14-16).

Being served humble pie against one's unyielding will is very distasteful indeed.  However, to willfully embrace humility as God intended, leads to a completely different experience: "In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time" (1 Pet 5:5-6).

Being able to humble ourselves, showing respect and deference to another, is actually a source of strength and power.  It allows us to accept the help and guidance we need at times and especially our need to submit to God, who actually holds the future in his mighty hands.  Embracing humility is to recognize and accept the stature and worth of another, it is not to devalue oneself.  In contrast, it allows one to take the place the Creator has given him in the community of man and the kingdom of God.  Jus' Sayin'.