Proverbs 11:2 Stay little, stay hungry_
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 NIV
I am loved! Within the fabric of my soul I have intrinsic value as a person. It’s within my spiritual and physical DNA. When I was born, I am worth something. God put it there when He created me. But as I embark on life’s journey there is a cacophony of competing voices sending me mixed messages about my worth. About who I am and the value I have, especially when compared to others. The fight heats up as the adversary casts insults from one side, “see, you are worthless.” From another side we hear solid and confident words: “you are loved.” How well I am convinced and which one I believe will determine whether or not I live in disgrace, or invite wisdom.
Pride, in Hebrew means Arrogance. Presumption. Insolence or boldly rude or disrespectful; contemptuously impertinent; insulting. And the resulting disgrace means Contempt, confusion, dishonor, ignominy, reproach, shame.
Humility, is translated by Rotherham as “modest.” In Hebrew it means the lowly. Wisdom, fully explored in this book of Proverbs, means knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.
Because I come with the recognition that I am somebody and my life has meaning, when I hear contrary voices it’s a violent assault on my person. At some point in life, every little boy and girl must endure those hostile taunting voices. How should I respond?
My reaction to a personal assault will flow from one source: the confidence and faith I have in who I am. What I believe about me. The moment I yield an inch of personal soil to my adversary’s vomit, or respond in exasperation to his bait, a seed of pride springs within my heart. The violent reply to a violent lie. Pride originates from the belief that I am not loved like I truly am. When I review the meaning of the word, I see “arrogance,” “presumption,” and “boldly rude or disrespectful.” Pride is the behavior that assaults another’s worth. It dismisses. It cuts off whatever supply of empathy I have. It makes another lower so I may be higher — a completely unnecessary action since my value and position are not established by my success in ruining another. The ammunition pride uses is to point out my strengths. The things I’m better at than you. But it’s an illusion because every one of my abilities has been given and with it comes a responsibility (see my notes on John 3:27). An oak tree is not better than a rose because it is stronger and can hold more weight. And the rose is not better than the oak because it is more beautiful. Whether an intellectual or a scientist, doctor, or lawyer or a simple-minded child with autism or a developmental disability, our Father makes no distinction in his tender heart of love for His children. Whether physically strong or frail with sickness, Abba will toss those meaningless differences aside.
Pride is the expression of being unloved and only has one fruit: disgrace. Nothing good can come when I silence that little voice telling me who I really am: Loved.
For the lowly, the humble, we have the key to wisdom. Wisdom originates from an accurate view of myself. I didn’t make me. I didn’t fashion my body, mind, or desires. I don’t know everything. I am absolutely dependent upon others in some way. When I realize this, my heart is open and listens. I am “modest” or “lowly” in my own estimation. Even in this context “lowly” is a comparison to others. It positions myself with my strengths and weakness below another. Imagine being very good at something and another comes along with rudimentary skills in the same thing. Does this mean I am automatically superior? If so, I cease being able to learn, even from the newcomer. And this is the foundation of humility — a disposition to be persuaded, learn, consider, and align the best of me with the best of you. With it I may see life stripped of its posturing and my desire to be better than another and look at myself and others soberly. I see humility as the field in Jesus’ parable of the sower. It has been plowed. The rocks and distractions are removed. Shallow soil has been made deep. It’s available for a seed to be planted. The starting place for wisdom is the heart that is open, humble, and listening. Here my Father may plant his seed of love. For me. The truth is that he gave his most valuable possession for my benefit and nothing can separate us from this love – not death, hell, nor any created thing.
Stay little. Stay hungry.