By Karen Y. Stevens

Mac Davis sang that song back in the 1974. I thought it was a funny song at the time, but little did I know, how true it is. The song is being sarcastic about being humble, because the following verse states “when your perfect in every way.”

You have to be proud of who you are, and what you do, in order to achieve a great level, but this is a good proud to motivate you.

There is a bad proud that is teetering right there at the top of that point. It’s waiting for you to take that next step, and send you sliding down that slippery slope of “prideful” proud.

The definition of humble is “having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s own importance.”

In my business, I must toot my own horn (in a humble way, LOL!), or express how important I am to a client, so they will know that I’m knowledgeable, successful, honest, etc., or they will go find someone who they think is better than me.

The last sentence of Ecclesiastes 8:9 states “There is a time when a man lords it over others to his own hurt.”

The verse’s proceeding this, is talking about wisdom in knowing the right time to be silent or speak up. But the last verse sums it up (paraphrasing) – if you crow about having wisdom, it will be to your own detriment.

You know who I’m talking about. They’ll casually say things like “At work, I did…” and that smirk comes across their face. You can see that they are so proud of themselves, and not in a good way, but in a gloating way.

I must advertise my education, my accomplishments, etc. for my job, yet the Bible says repeatedly, be humble.

Colossians 3:12 states “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

James 4:6  “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

These are just two examples of many scriptures. So, what are we supposed to do here on earth? We walk a tight-rope.

God wants us to make a living, and if you’re in sales like me, or in any job where you must prove yourself daily; what do you do? I’m sure God wants us to find that perfect balance in our personal and professional lives, which is different for each of us. I think if we are bragging just to exalt ourselves, then God will humble us and it’s worse when God does it.

Luke 14:11 – For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

I also think God knows when we are just trying to prove we can do a job, or if our heart crosses over to being prideful. We all cross the line at one time or another. We need to ask God immediately to forgive us when we let pride get the best of us.

And I wouldn’t start off with “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble.”

 

Karen Y. Stevens is Founder of Orange County Christian Writers Guild