This morning I asked for humility as I was reminded that it is a bridge to greater compassion, empathy, and understanding. I had an opportunity to check my own arrogance and pride, and the awareness of my lack of humility, in and of itself, was humbling.
The voice in my mind (the one I should listen to) reminded me of the hypocrisy of measuring arrogance in others and being inept at gauging my own. Moreover, it reminded me I have no business appraising others. It is far too easy to overvalue oneself and undervalue others and vice versa. This is problematic at best and detrimental at worst.
If your heart's desire is to really love others and exemplify kindness, you have to be able to recognize everyone's intrinsic worth. For those who are gifted with balance, this is likely automatic. For the rest of us, however, checking egocentrism has to be a regular, conscious thing. Otherwise our perceptions are skewed, and we view others (and often ourselves) from harsh, unkind lenses.
This morning the best of me said.: "It is okay to be comfortable in your station, proud of your accomplishments, and mindful of your own resilience, determination, strivings, and successes. It is not okay to use yourself a measuring stick by which you determine how others should be appreciated or depreciated."
How do I know that everyone has intrinsic, unyielding value?
For me, the answer lies in two verses.
John 3:16:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. KJV
And, my favorite, Romans 8:38-39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. KJV
If others, like myself, are shrouded in the love of God in spite of any and everything, and I believe we are. Who are you to diminish me? Who am I to diminish anyone?
It just occurred to me. Maybe God's love, the immeasurable, unchanging love of the immeasurable, unchanging Creator, is the greatest equalizer.
