Your daily dose of true beauty advice…
Love promotes and praises others. It is self-effacing and shies away from speaking of itself. So those who are possessed of Christ’s love delight in focusing attention on others, in pushing others to center stage, and in sharing the spotlight of attention.
In the context of thinking about spiritual giftedness, Paul writes, “I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment” (Rom. 12:3). This doesn’t imply that we never talk about ourselves or allow others to inquire about our interests or ministries. There’s a fine line between speaking about ourselves in a nonboastful way and boasting in a sinful, self-centered way…
A missionary friend on the way back to Africa found himself on board a ship with the young Billy Graham and witnessed love that does not brag. Graham was on his way to the London Crusade. As the two men met and talked together during their voyage, something about Graham touched my friend deeply. Graham asked questions about my friend’s life and ministry in Africa; he was genuinely interested in his work. My friend particularly observed that Graham rarely spoke about himself or his phenomenal experiences as an evangelist. At the end of their voyage, the missionary asked the young evangelist how he could pray for him, and the answer was, “Pray that I will be a humble man.” That prayer many years ago reflected a heart of wisdom and love. Decades later it is apparent that pride of gift or success is not a criticism that has been leveled against Billy Graham.
There is something to learn from his example. Humble people are not self-absorbed braggarts. Instead, they promote and praise others according to the “more excellent way” of love.
~Alexander Strauch in Leading with Love
Photo: OBMonkey
