Hungry Humility

During the men’s NCAA Tournament, the seventh seeded University of Connecticut Huskies went from being a longshot to advance beyond the first weekend to national champions. Led by three seniors and second-year coach Kevin Ollie, the Huskies clawed their way to the top game after game, defeating powerhouse programs from Florida and Kentucky along the way to the school’s fourth national title. Beyond the emotional hunger of “wanting it more”, the team had battled back from being banned from last year’s tournament due to low Academic Progress Rate (APR); rival schools used it against them, calling the university in Storrs a “basketball factory.” As a result, the team was humbled nationally as a lesser institution of higher learning by the NCAA. Late regular-season losses to Houston and SMU did little to support its case as a top tier program despite the Top 25 ranking (18th). Senior Shabazz Napier, the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, summed up the journey best when he spoke of not only the team’s hunger to win, but also his personal experiences of not having anything to eat at night because he did not have money for a sandwich. His honest moment came not long after reports revealed the Big Dance had its most profitable year, placing a pall on its callous greed. As full-time Christians, we are to exhibit that hunger yet temper it with humility at all times. How? Jesus shows us the way through David to maintain hungry humility.

When we get hungry, we feel a rumble of the tummy and/or weakness signifying it is time to eat. Today, our bodies maintain a routine by the clock: breakfast at 8, lunch at noon, and dinner around 5:30, if possible. If one of the three meal times comes earlier or later, the bodies tend to store remaining energy, as it involuntarily thinks it is starving from lack of nourishment. Therefore, we have moments which we end up eating the first thing that comes to mind, healthy or not; the people at the Little Caesars drive-thru seem to know me on a first name basis. In Psalm 63:1-3, David exclaims that he will always put God first, as he has that burning hunger to serve Him. Verse 1 resembles our initial steps into Christianity when it all seemed so new and exciting with a childlike fervor to share with everyone what we have seen the Light. He further speaks in the other two verses that God’s loving kindness is greater than life itself; therefore, He (God) is deserving of the praise. Jesus comes along in John 6 telling the Bread of Life parable – if you get the time, read John 6:22-69 for the entire story. In short, being hungry is more than just a stomach growling for another slice of pepperoni pizza; it is also having that desire to want/desire/serve/do more.

To satisfy the hunger in the church, one may study 2 Timothy 2:15 to show approval and possess firsthand knowledge, as the pastor may steer the parishioners off-course for personal gain or to determine if they are paying attention. Another way is to give of yourself the opportunities of sharing time, talents, and gifts as embodiment for the greater unit. Most importantly, live in a manner that is pleasing in God’s sight not one overcome in zealotry. Just as too many sweets can rot our teeth, too many fluff messages can leave us unprepared for what the secular world offers.

Just because we are here a season does not mean fill up on the wrong foods of sin; how else can you guide someone if you are taking part in everything they are doing?
Society tells us that being flashy/loud/proclaiming ourselves the greatest sells, and often we fall into that trap. Proverbs 16:18 indicates that there will be “pride before destruction”; reminding us not to toot our own horns too loudly. While we are important to the mission, we are not indispensable. Just as God chose us for a particular role to showcase our unique gifts and abilities, He can easily substitute us in and out for someone more suited toward His program’s successes. Once the task is completed, the status and false ideas of respect are easier to release. For example, I may be able to teach, but I know I was not called to preach before hundreds of people. Stay in your own lane! Being humble is not being a punk, nor is it cowardly; it is an acknowledgement that we know our own limits. In humility, we make sure we are respecting others, holding them in their proper esteem before they insist they show deference. Those who fully embrace this principle make the best spouses, teammates, parents, friends, business partners, and co-workers. Now that we realize all things come from God, we must approach them with a clear understanding of managing resources wisely for eternal usage.

Within the past few years, a phrase called humble bragging has become widespread. This is presenting a false modesty (who, little ole me?) that actually increases a person’s pride. It also becomes off-putting, similar to the Pharisees with their incessant bragging sounding akin to loud cymbals. What I hate about a humble brag is that people try to come off like they aren't bragging. It’s people not being honest about their intention. There is no hunger in that, and certainly no humility in the humble brag as it is displeasing not only to God, but also to our contemporaries.