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So I’m Not Perfect
I have a book entitled “So I’m Not Perfect, A Psychology of Humility” by Robert J. Furey. I found the title intriguing and bought the book... only $1.79 at a used bookstore. The first chapter is “Why Humility?” Remember now, I’ve got $1.79 invested in this book so I want some insight into humility. So three pages into the first chapter is a quote by Rabbi and theologian Samuel Dresner:
“The sin of which modern man is most frequently found guilty of is ‘self-sufficiency.’ It is the belief that man is sufficient unto himself and needs no divine authority and guide. It is a certainty that man is capable of fathoming all secrets, of controlling all events, mastering all situations, even achieving a utopian society of peace and prosperity which would endure until the end of time.”
After reading that quote, I began to think about humility as mental and spiritual reckoning with reality. Just because you stand in a garage doesn’t make you a car. There is a place for pride in its proper form... that is acknowledging our self and our accomplishments as blessings. God created YOU and gifted you with abilities and talents, and opportunities to be a blessing to others.
Humility is one trait that can easily be faked... I looked up “false humility” and found out that there is indeed an English word; Humblebrag - an ostensibly modest or self-deprecating statement whose actual purpose is to draw attention to something of which one is proud. Think the Wizard of Oz smoke and mirrors to garner a sense of importance. All of us have been guilty of wanting some excessively unmerited attention for one thing or another. Or being upset we received not even a smidgen of attention.
Further, you can’t really say pride is the opposite of humility - in my view that is too simplistic. The belief that any person is completely self-sufficient exceeds any measure of pride. That is a delusion whether overt or covert of the degree of one’s superiority.
Ernest Hemmingway said “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.”
To believe you are totally self-sufficient is to equate your mortal self with the immortal God who is omniscient (all knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful) and omnipresence (everywhere at the same time). We are none of these... we have limited knowledge, power, and we are limited by time and space. It was comforting to be relieved of the pressure to be perfect, to all things to self and others. Humility in its pure form gives the gift of connection. I connect to God in a position of dependence said perfectly in the hymn. “Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.” I allow the fruit of love, kindness, and compassion to flow into my life. Really all this comes down to being attentive to the presence of God and attending to opportunities to serve. Knowing your limitation opens you to know the joy of belonging to a church that cares for you.
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