1 Peter 5:5 (NLT) In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

As we take this month to rise into humility, we want to go beyond the words on a page into the depths of our soul. Humility is a virtue that Jesus perfectly modeled. He was confident in His identity, and didn’t change who He was based on the environment.

His desire is that we develop humility as well. Humility is often misunderstood as lower or beneath, but in reality, it’s a sign of strength. This is why a humble person does not have to pretend, because they are secure in who they are. This reminds me of a lesson I learned in grade school.

I was new to this particular school and craved the acceptance of my peers. I was decent at staying on top of my homework, and when a few of my classmates found this out, they started asking if they could copy my answers. I thought they wanted to be friends so I didn’t mind sharing. But after a while, it became obvious they just wanted the answers. The lesson I learned is that real friends don’t misrepresent themselves. This is why I love Jesus. He never deceives us with hidden motives. He invites us to be people who become real in other people’s lives.

And it starts with humility.

When we focus on what we can offer instead of what we must prove, we find the right motives that produce authenticity and trust. That kind of character is attractive.

Be Authentic - Humility gives us the courage to resist the pressure of wanting to fit in and lets us be who we truly are. Our integrity will shape our world. The humble life delights in being genuine. You are through and through, not changing who you are to fit yourself into someone else’s pattern.

Be Generous - “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Philippians 2:3-4

Paul reminds us that humility is not just being authentic but also being generous and encouraging. Jesus was the perfect example! Just look at His compassion. When we walk in humility we go beyond our own needs and desires to meet someone else where they are. When we walk humbly, our hearts long to serve one another beyond the norm. We are secure enough in who we are that we give expecting nothing in return.

Be Encouraging - Your heart is encouraged by others achievements. You find joy in seeing other people succeed and grow. This is backwards from the way society teaches us! We are taught to climb the ladder of success and to be okay with knocking others down along the way. When you are dressed in humility you have the style of joy and the profile of love.

This character will draw the right relationships to you. The ones that bring great joy to your life and inner satisfaction. Humility is real. Jesus walked this solid lifestyle that caused others to be drawn to Him.

Let’s take a step into the closet of faith and pull the garment of humility out. Look for ways you can be authentic, giving and encouraging to someone in your life this week. Someone out there is depending on you to live out the humble hustle.

“Pride makes us artificial; humility makes us real.” Thomas Merton