Content with a humble position...

"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:1

"...act justly, love tenderly, and walk 
humbly with Me."

       I remember that while I was in the military service of our country there was in my company a young man who was a model soldier. He was always prompt and obedient. There never was an inspection, a drill, or a formation but he was there at the first note of the bugle, dressed in the prescribed manner of the day. His officers never found any fault with him, and the men used to wonder why, when promotion came, he was never promoted. What was the matter? Some men envied him, but others thought he should be promoted instead of some of those who were promoted.

       He finally became discouraged and went to his commanding officer to inquire into the reason for his non-promotion. He was told that he was better as a private than as a non-commissioned officer. He was made to see that as a private his influence over the others to obey and to emulate him in drills would accomplish more than if he were promoted. So, seeing that he was more useful in the more humble position, he was contented to keep it till those over him saw fit to give him a well-earned promotion.

       Though a soldier, he was also a Christian, and that was the secret. of his contentment. Through the exhibition of his Christian qualities he gained the good-will of the men and the respect of his officers, and it was not long after until promotion came.

       This is equally true with us; if we seek to do what we can in our present position in the Christian life, no matter how humble or how unnoticed by man our lives are, it will not be long until, instead of being the unknown, we shall be the known, not because of ourselves, but because of Christ in us. If we keep humble before Christ, putting him ever before us, seeking not honors or fame for ourselves, but for Christ who died for us, he will keep us in perfect peace.

       It is not always necessary to talk in order to let people know that we are Christians, for "actions speak louder than words." If we are true children of God, our lives will show it, and the influence so shed will manifest more to people than we could tell, perhaps, in many words. Clifton H, Lewis

More About Being Humble:

• God's Story: Sermon on the Mount
• God Looks At The Heart from Faithville Productions