Obedience + helpfulness = humility...

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." -James 4:10

Humility is seen in the capacity to do what needs to be done. The evidence of humility is a willingness to step forward instead of hanging back. It is giving a hand immediately rather than waiting for others to lead the way. Often it is pride, not humility, that causes us not to speak up or to volunteer. Pride inhibits positive boldness.
In a group setting, I once asked for a volunteer to play the piano as we sang a song. No one moved. Finally, someone coaxed a young woman to go forward and she played superbly. I assumed she had believed that humility was behind her reluctance. Later, I found out that it wasn't humility but a form of pride protecting her from looking too pushy or bold. Humility would have allowed her to offer to help right away.
Jesus was humble. But he did not hang back. He did what had to be done and gave what he had to give. He showed us that obedience and helpfulness are the true marks of humility.

Prayer: Lord, help me not to allow my awkwardness from keeping me from doing what you would have me do. Free me from my self-consciousness so that I can think more about others, putting their needs above my own. Amen.

Reflection: When have you let self-consciousness or pride keep you from doing something that would have blessed others? If put in the same or a similar situation in the future, what would you do differently next time?