If you were grateful for being unnoticed, would it take the pressure off of you to become noticed? If you cared little for wealth, would it be right to say you would spend little time or effort pursuing it? If you cared little for greatness, would you judge yourself with more grace?
Being noticed, wealth, greatness...all these are values of our culture, of this kingdom. They drive us to become different people. We morph from the beautiful creatures we've been designed to be into something God never intended for us to be. The gifts God has given us in our personalities and our abilities are minimized when compared to what everyone else has. Rather than having a spirit of gratitude we develop envy and exchange our unique imprint for the impersonation of someone else.
The humble person gratefully excepts the way they were designed. They thank God for it and work to cultivate and steward it so they can fully be who God's created them to be. They realize the place of honor is not defined by certain cultural status, but the place of honor is already in themselves - because God created them in a specific way.
Therefore we can rejoice in our humble position. It may not be as noticeable as someone else, but then that is not the point. The point is not to measure yourself on the cultural norms of success, achievement, and importance in the world around us. We must find our merit simply in who God has designed and created us to be. As we live out the position God has given us in the midst of this world that is based upon a hierarchy of position, we point to God's kingdom where there is only one king...and the rest of us sit on equal ground around His throne.
Heavenly Father, my maker, help me to humbly accept and delight in the way you have designed me. Take from me the weight and pressure of envy that often overtakes me. Give me freedom to love the creature you've created - with all of my gifts and abilities - and even my imperfections. You are a lover of the humble. By your grace help me live in such company.
Amen.
