Tibetan-born Sherpa Nawang Gombu and American Jim Whittaker reached the
top of Mount Everest on May 1, 1963. As they approached the peak, each
considered the honor of being the first of the two to step to the summit.
Whittaker motioned for Gombu to move ahead, but Gombu declined with a smile,
saying, “You first, Big Jim!” Finally, they decided to step to the summit at
the same time.
Paul encouraged the Philippian believers to demonstrate this kind of
humility. He said, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests,
but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:4 nkjv). Selfishness and
superiority can divide people, but humility unites us, since it is the quality
of “being one in spirit and of one mind” (v. 2).
Practicing humility helps us to
become more like Jesus.When quarrels and disagreements occur, we can often diffuse them by
giving up our right to be right. Humility calls us to show grace and gentleness
when we would rather insist on our own way. “In humility value others above
yourselves” (v. 3).
Practicing humility helps us to become more like Jesus who, for our sake, “humbled himself by becoming obedient to death” (vv. 7-8). Following in Jesus’ footsteps means backing away from what is best for us and doing what is best for others.
Humility promotes unity. (RBC)
