Excited about my first day on the job, I slid into the lot beside the barn and jumped out of my convertible. Wayne emerged from the farmhouse bounding in my direction. His wry smile and determined steps left me slightly intimidated. I began to wonder if my transition as a skinny kid with a flat-top to a competent farmhand would be more difficult than I imagined. Marilyn, the eldest of Wayne’s two daughters, had recently agreed to “go steady with me”—which meant I was breaking new ground at the Williams’ house. Wayne had shrewdly determined the best way to monitor Marilyn’s obvious lapse in judgment was to “keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” And so I was hired on as the summer help in ‘65.
Wayne is a man of constant motion, partly because it’s his nature and partly because of his military experience. As a member of the 603rd Tank Company in Occupied Japan, he could have been Tom Brokaw’s poster child for The Greatest Generation. Like so many of his military peers, the disciplines of WWII had kneaded the yeast of manhood into his innocence as an experienced man rose up out of a naïve farm boy. And now twenty years later, he had mellowed into a genteel but purposed man who still marched in double time. He often said, “I like to get more done by nine o’clock in the morning than most guys get done all day.”
A large diesel tractor idling in the barn yard drew my attention, black smoke puffing from its exhaust like the moist breath of an angry bull. But when Marilyn stepped from behind the huge tractor, my full attention was captured. Wearing jeans and a flannel shirt, her soft blond hair framed the shy smile she offered my direction before turning her attention to dad.
Only three of us circled-up, but a dozen different people were represented. A father, a protector, a farmer, and a soldier, was flanked by a daughter, a teenager, a child, and a woman, joined by a wannabe man, a boyfriend, and a rookie farm hand. It was above the swirl of all these people that Wayne announced, “You’re gonna mow the Smith farm today. Ron, you sit up there on that fender and Marilyn will show you how to drive this tractor. Pay attention because it’s real easy to tear this stuff up!” Orders delivered, he did an about face and marched off to fight other battles. Humbled and completely uncertain what was next, I could feel the warmth of embarrassment rising in my face. I turned and quizzically looked toward Marilyn only to discover she was standing at the tractor patiently waiting for me to climb onto the “learner’s fender.”
She throttled-up the diesel, black smoke swirling and we were off, my knuckles white against the red fender, her delicate hands steering the machinery. I was totally impressed at the comfort and competency she commanded over the Massey while explaining the various controls. Completing one counterclockwise pass of the field, she raised the mower, turned the tractor around, and climbed down. She cocked her head to one side, shrugged as though to say, “Any questions?” and set out on foot for the farmhouse. As she walked away, a quick, over-the-shoulder-smile, started my heart again. The best I could return was a goober-faced grin. She was out of sight before I realized I was still clinging to the fender of the clattering Massey.
Looking back over the years, I realized I could have chosen to feel humiliated or I could have chosen to simply be humbled. I choose the later because I knew I was in a safe environment. That humbling experience forged a foundation for our 45 year relationship. I knew Wayne was not only a good soldier and farmer, but also a good father.
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God,
and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
1 Peter 5:6 NLT
Father, please protect me from me. I know my pride can become my greatest stumbling block. Grant me the wisdom to recognize the difference between who I think I am and who I truly am. Empower me to value humility over personal recognition.
Read 1 Peter 5:5
- How should those who are younger in the faith respond to those older in the faith?
- Consider the word picture “clothe yourselves with humility toward one another”
- Can you think how you might wear humility like a piece of clothing?
- Why do you think the Bible teaches this relational technique?
- Why would God oppose the proud; doesn’t he want us to be confident?
- Multiple choice question:
- Does God give us grace so we can be humble? Or…
- Does God give us grace because we are humble?
Read I Peter 5:6-7
- What does being humble mean to you?
- Who is Peter asking to humble themselves?
- I mentioned I had been humbled by a safe father. Describe why our Heavenly Father is safe.
- How does Peter describe God’s hand?
- What do you think it means that God will exalt you or lift you up?
- What do you think “in due time” is referring to in this passage?
Read James 1:9
- Does this sound like a contradiction of terms? Take a shot at interpreting what it might mean.
- Who is being spoken to?
- In what circumstances is he/she found?
- If found in humble circumstances what are your choices about how to react?
- What if “take pride” means be contented?
- Here’s the kicker: Into what position does the Kingdom of Heaven place a humble person?
OK Jesus, I think I’m starting to get it. Please continue to prompt me by your Holy Spirit to accept humbling circumstances as highly valuable. Please reinforce in my spirit that humility best shapes me for your Kingdom and provides the safest environment for me and those I love. Thank you that your humility has shown the way for those who follow you…I want to follow you!