Concerning General Robert E Lee, J. Steven Wilkins wrote: 'The degree to which Lee was indifferent to his own honor was astonishing. After the civil war Lee received distinguished visitors from the north into his home in Lexington. Assuming that the Lees, like many prominent families in the north, had household servants, the guests, after retiring to bed, would leave their boots outside their bedroom door to be cleaned and 'blacked.' Many a night it was the old General himself who stayed up after the others retired, and - in order not to embarrass his guests - collected the boots, cleaned and polished them himself.'

 

Paul writes, 'Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others' (Philippians 2:3-4 NAS).

 

Paul points out that walking in humility means practicing three things: 1) Sitting on the temptation to promote yourself. Trusting God to promote you when He, not you, determines the time's right 2) Standing up for others. Like who? Whoever popped into your mind as you read that last sentence. Think of the least liked person you know, or the one who's made a royal mess of life. Stand up for them. Ask, 'How can I serve them?' Then do it - and keep doing it 3) Bowing low before God. Accepting His discipline. Acknowledging your dependence. Giving Him all the glory.

 

The path to greatness in God's Kingdom leads through the valley of selflessness. Why? Because some things only grow there - like humility!