“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourself. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 2:3,5
During this season of Lent, Christians around the world prepare for holy week which begins with Christ’s humble entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
Humility is a characteristic that is not held in high esteem in our culture. The dictionary defines humility as being modest and respectful, lacking pretense and not believing that one is superior to others. The Latin word for humility is very close to the Latin word for humanity and means to be grounded, from the earth, low. Humility affirms one’s intrinsic self-worth as a child of God, formed from the earth by the potter into a human being. Humility accepts the limitations that are a part of being human and understands that when these limitations are respected, they have the ability to expand one’s horizon.
Some mistakenly interpret humility as a lack of self-confidence or timidity. In reality, the person who is humble has a strong sense of self in relation to others and to God. A humble person understands he or she is not the center of the universe … but a small part of the whole created by a loving and reliable God, with a particular calling or vocation. It is because of a strong self-worth that a person is able to be humble, to respect, to honor and even to submit oneself to others.
Bruna Martinuzzi has written a thoughtful book on the importance of humility in leadership. It is called The Leader as a Mensch: Become the Kind of Person Others Want to Follow. (Mensch is a Yiddish word for “person with integrity.”) She observes that companies with humble and determined leaders are more successful. Humble leaders direct their ego away from themselves to the larger goal and recognize the contributions of others.
Humility is about having confidence without arrogance! It is the antithesis of hubris, that excessive and arrogant pride, which often leads to a person’s demise. Humility is about a quiet confidence without the need for selling of one’s wares. It is about being content to let others discover the layers of one’s talents without having to boast about them. It is a lack of arrogance, not a lack of assertiveness, in the pursuit of achievement.
Another mark of a leader who practices humility is his or her treatment of others. Such leaders treat everyone with respect regardless of position. Something interesting happens, too, when one approaches problem-solving from a perspective of humility: it opens us up to possibilities. As we choose open-mindedness and curiosity over protecting our point of view, we create the kind of harmony Paul encouraged in the Philippian faith community. We are willing to learn from what others have to offer.
Faith is a call for humility! Christians are encouraged to have the same mind as Christ, who joined us in our humanity and who walked the Via Dolorosa (the Way of Sorrow) with humility and confidence. We too can walk with confidence down the roads we are called to journey. We can walk with humility and integrity, embrace our humanity, and treat our brothers and sisters with respect along the way.
I would like to dedicate this reflection on humility to Dr. Diane Rutledge who was an elder, deacon and member of Westminster’s Endowment Committee. Diane served on the Pastor Nominating Committee which called me in 2013, and was my mentor, confidant and a treasured friend during my tenure. A woman of deep faith, Dr. Rutledge epitomized humility both in her life and in her leadership.
The Rev. Dr. Blythe Denham Kieffer served as pastor and head of staff at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Springfield from Oct. 1, 2013, to Oct. 1, 2025.
