1 Corinthians 15:10
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me."
A working definition of humility is an inner state where my thirst for approval is quenched by grace and my awareness of God eclipses self. Let those words sink deep into your heart. As I see God over me, I can lower or humble myself. As I see God in me, I can live in a holy confidence not rooted in pride.
Part of leadership is becoming a student of yourself. We must know the places where pride can hide and humility is stunted. Consider these points as you seek God for true humility.
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Accept your own brokenness. This doesn’t mean staying there. It means recognizing the truth that parts of me – if left to self – will compromise God’s best. Facing those parts, in humble surrender to God will release the grace needed for change.
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Embrace your own limitations. Run fully after the person God created you to be. But understand the things you can’t be.
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Discover your own grace. The best way to discover those grace areas is to ask those who know you questions like: what am I doing well? Or what specific strengths do you see God has given me? It’s important to know these strengths are not always aligned with our immediate desires. However, as we approach God in humility we receive the grace needed to be godly, fruitful leaders.
Pray this simple prayer with me. Holy Spirit, teach me to become a student of myself.