I’d like another slice of humble pie please—but I have to
let you know I’m pretty picky about where it comes from and who makes it. I
prefer to only eat what I fondly refer to as Heavenly Humble Pie prepared in
the Divine Bakery.
 |
| I made this Humble Pie from www.food.com/recipe/humble-pie Tasted delicious! |
The ingredients used are
simple and yet superb; every bite is meant to be savored. I can’t help myself. I want more and I think you might want to get
in on the deal as well.
You, God, and humble pie—with a little bit of C.S. Lewis and
LeBron James thrown into the mix. Hopefully, I’ve piqued your interest a
bit.
You may not see the connection or even like the sound of it. In fact, the mere mention of being humbled by God sounds pretty intimidating but hear me out and remember, this isn’t just any old pie.
You may not see the connection or even like the sound of it. In fact, the mere mention of being humbled by God sounds pretty intimidating but hear me out and remember, this isn’t just any old pie.
The term “humble pie” originated in medieval times and was
known as a type of meat pastry, most likely made from various pieces and parts
of deer. In today’s common usage, to eat
humble pie is to acknowledge or apologize for an error.
When you’ve repeatedly boasted how unbeatable your favorite
sports team is to your friends and family and your team is pummeled in a
competition, you better get out the humble pie and cut yourself a big slice.
In this case, the act of humbling implies you are demonstrating humility, as in “I was wrong.” And if your ego has a major investment in that sports team as well, humility can easily turn into humiliation.
In this case, the act of humbling implies you are demonstrating humility, as in “I was wrong.” And if your ego has a major investment in that sports team as well, humility can easily turn into humiliation.
But let’s set that situation aside for now, and consider
another perspective—one where humbling is not confused with the very different
act of humiliation.
What if we were able to look at humbling oneself or living in a state of humility as a desirable, rather than an embarrassing, ego crushing state that at all costs should be avoided?
What if we were able to look at humbling oneself or living in a state of humility as a desirable, rather than an embarrassing, ego crushing state that at all costs should be avoided?
C.S. Lewis stated that,
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.”And for some reason, I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately—about the many times I have been humbled by witnessing the Divine at work.
At such moments, I am caught off-guard. These are the precious times when I come to
realize, in the most basic way, that it’s not about me. It’s about something greater than, that
exists within each one of us if we choose to move beyond ego and tap into that
higher spirit.
Le Bron James, all time basketball great and favored son from Akron, Ohio stated recently,
“I’m just playing the game I love and I’ll do anything for. And some of the benefits that’s coming with it is the humbling side. It’s the blessed side.”
I love
that analogy—humbling equals blessing—so much better than a punishment.
Take a trip to the Grand Canyon and sit on a rock
overlooking the breath-taking landscape of colors and shapes. Undergo
a healing within oneself where the grief or anger that weighed heavily upon
your heart has been transformed to a sense of peace, love, or forgiveness. Beat cancer when the deck was clearly stacked
against you.
With all of these things—you can’t believe
that something so impossible became possible—recognizing that we humans alone
could not take credit for this miracle. Something
far greater, beyond our limited scope of control was at work.
My ego tells me humbling “ain’t so good” but my heart sings
with the thought that eating humble pie from the Divine Bakery is a good thing.
What if we actually realized the benefits, as in Divinely
Inspired Benefits, that accrued if we actively sought out this way of being and
incorporated it into our day-to-day lives?
What if we were able to say, without fear of retaliation, “Please God,
allow me to be humbled.” Would that be
so bad?
If nothing else, just think about it. Imagine a positive way of looking at the act
of being humbled. Put the image into the
context of your life and consider how seeing the daily beauty and blessings in
our midst could only add to the human experience.
Heavenly Humble Pie
Prayer
Please (I show respect by asking)
God (that Higher Spirit that lives within and beyond)
Allow (there is a choice)
Me (my human self with all its beauty and flaws)
To Be (without expectations—to just “be” in your Presence)
Humbled (the depths of my soul acknowledge and honor your
grace and blessings)
