…And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8 NIV)
Scottie Scheffler. What pops into your mind when you hear that name? A stunning and dramatic comeback in the final round of the 2024 Olympics with birdies on four of the last five holes to capture a gold medal?
Number one golfer in the world? Top money winner on the PGA Tour for three consecutive years? Or do you think of his personal attributes? If you do, humility is one of the qualities you are likely to associate with Scottie.
Remember that graceful gesture as he took the champion’s walk from the 18th green to the clubhouse at the 2024 Masters? He paused and waved to his caddie, Ted Scott, to join him on that triumphant walk.
Or, what about Scottie standing on the podium, gold medal around his neck, fighting back tears as the National Anthem concluded? (I still get goosebumps even as I write this.) His humility is a shining example of what it means to be humble.
Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea, prophesying between 740 and 698 BC. His chief message—God hated the people’s unkindness, idolatry, injustice, and empty ritual—was directed to both the Northern and Southern kingdoms. In Micah 6:8, Micah posed the question: What does the Lord desire of you?
Micah’s answer was three things: act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Biblical scholar John J. Collins calls the answer “biblical ethics in a nutshell.” The third element—humility—deserves our utmost attention.
Humility is often defined as a lack of arrogance and pride coupled with a modest view of oneself. C.S. Lewis once said, “Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.”
In the biblical context, humility revolves around the practice of meekness, obedience to God, respect for others, submissiveness, and modesty. It is both an outward demeanor and a “heart attitude” –—both the inside and the outside matter. New Testament writers— Paul (Philippians 2:3), Luke (Luke 14:11), Peter (1 Peter 5:6), and James (James 4:10) all have something to say about humility.
How can we get closer to a life of humility than a life filled with pride, arrogance, self-centeredness, and conceit? William Law, an English writer, suggested how we can detect the presence of pride in ourselves. “There can be no surer proof of a confirmed pride than a belief that one is sufficiently humble.”
We might consider several things. First, we should conduct an honest self-examination of ourselves on a regular basis by asking whether there are any stains of pride seeping into our lives. Are there any idols that have suddenly crept into our lives?
Second, self-examination should be accompanied by earnest prayer. Prayer is humbling because we admit that we cannot handle things on our own—that our attempts to be in control of everything do not work. By acknowledging that He is in control, we are saying, “You are God; I am not”! This simple acknowledgment is liberating.
Through prayer, we can also challenge our motives. We might consider simply praying: Heavenly Father, you see what I am about to do. Is it for Your glory or mine? Examine my heart. Do I desire to give you praise or keep some for myself?
Scottie demonstrated supreme humility during his press conference after his first Master’s victory. He said: “Who am I to say that I know what’s best for my life…God is in control, and the Lord is leading me.”
May we say and do the same!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, you see what I am about to do. Is it for Your glory or mine? Examine my heart. Do I desire to give you praise or keep some for myself?