Can
there be true harmony without humility? I don’t think so.
In
the United States, we are very individualistic and self-centered. We also teach
children from a young age to take pride in who they are, where they came from,
what they can do, etc. Instilling appropriate confidence is one thing, but we
tend toward conceit more than just confidence. Then, we wonder why we as adults
struggle to be inclusive, collaborate, and resolve conflicts. We can’t be
prideful or conceited AND live in harmony. Harmony comes from humility, as Paul
points out in the following passage.
Romans
12:14-16 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not
curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in
harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate
with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
What
relationship in your and my life lacks harmony right now (especially with
fellow believers)? We can’t control the other people, but we can examine
ourselves and ask God to help us recognize where we can be more loving and
humble versus prideful and arrogant.
Paul
gives us some practical ways to be humble and harmonious by sharing in the joys
of and sympathizing with the hurts of others.
So,
we can begin our harmonious and humble living by looking for ways to genuinely rejoice
or mourn with someone else this week!
Alice