The end of a year tends to find me even more introspective than I already am. I think about what I accomplished (and didn’t) in the prior 12 months, and make plans (both lofty and realistic) for the next 12. One of those yearly goals is finding a healthy balance of confidence and gratitude.
It can sometimes be a struggle to celebrate my wins and talents out loud, out of a fear of sounding pretentious. However, I can just as easily hit the opposite end of the spectrum and succumb to “main character syndrome”. I’m proud of the work I’ve done as a person and creative. But it doesn’t make me any more or less valuable than anyone else.
Pastor YPJ speaks eloquently about this very topic:
It doesn’t matter what level of success you accomplish. Just keep in mind you are too human to be arrogant.
It’s important that we always maintain a sense of gratitude, graciousness and growth. I’m a firm believer that God wants us to be confident in our abilities. However, he also wants us to be knowledgeable and aware of our fragility. The Bible says “take heed when you think you stand lest you fall.” In other words, be humble before you stumble or tumble.
And let me say this: humility is not timidity. There’s a major misconception about the word humility, that it means you’re supposed to shrink back and lower your head (not at all!). Humility is in no way downplaying yourself; it’s simply being aware that everything you have comes from God and it’s your responsibility to steward it well.
So don’t ever let your accomplishments make you intolerable, because a high mind eventually leads to a rock bottom but a humble spirit leads to a life of limitless favor.
So I challenge myself (and you): as we end one year and walk into the next, let us walk in our truth. Be proud of who we are, while remembering how fallible we are.
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