Humility: A Legacy of Greatness

We have come to the end of our Humility: True Greatness book discussion, and hopefully the beginning of a new way of living and approaching God, life, and our relationships. As a conclusion, Chapter 12 invites us to consider the legacy of our life’s journey. In the same way alcoholics or abusers leave negative scars that can last a lifetime, humble people leave positive influences and a lasting legacy for those they encounter. When we consistently humble ourselves before the Lord, we are also choosing to live as agents of grace in the lives of others. God can and does change the hearts of people who continuously humble themselves before him. He can make a person great. He can give you and me legacies where our lives and work best honor Him who created us.

This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

Isaiah 66:2b [NIV]

Do you want to live humbly before the Lord? Do you desire a life of true greatness? Do you want to leave a legacy that honors God?

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

We humble ourselves by:

Confessing our sins to God and others we offend.
Faithfully reading and studying God’s Word.
Praying continuously.
Honoring God at the start and end of each day.
Being an example while teaching and encouraging others to follow the Lord.
Being carefully about what we admire and where we focus our attention—specifically who or what we choose to worship.
Continuously acknowledging our dependency on God and give him the glory for all things in life.
Cultivating a life of service to God and others remembering Christ’s words:

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:43-44).”

We will close this discussion with Mahaney’s prayer:

Lord, I know how poor my life and ministry are. I know that no accomplishment has come by my own power or gifting, but it has all been by Your amazing grace! You are the One responsible for these glorious changes, and I ascribe all glory to You.

In this [prayer we acknowledge God and] transfer all the glory to Him (170).

And a song of worship: