The fear (awe) of the Lord teaches a person wisdom, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

Have you ever heard the expression, “It’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect like me!” It might be humorous if we didn’t see people every day who appear to live by that principle. In the scriptures, Philippians 3:3 challenges us, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

Few people are like the man who was referred to as “Mr. Anonymous.” Every six weeks he drove to nursing homes in an unmarked van and delivered one or two suit boxes full of roses. Then he left. He sought no recognition; he simply wanted to bring joy. I like to think of “Mr. Anonymous” as a Christian who has taken the words of the Savior to heart: “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Parent, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Mathew 6: 3-4)

We realize that we are not perfect, be we serve a perfect God. Honor is not something we demand. Honor is given to us by others when we humbly serve in a manner that glorifies God. May we be found faithful to God and the promises of God and not to other people’s ideals.

Holy God, look into our hearts and find the secret places. Honor, we pray, the humility You find amidst our pain and confusion.