Take the Upper Road

Take the Upper Road

 

It’s hard to be humble

When faced with other people’s bitterness and wrath,

But stay on the upward path

And do not stumble.

Consider their smallness and insecurity.

Face it with a smile

And go the extra mile.

Take up your shield with scriptural maturity;

Things could be much, much worse.

The one standing there within your view

Could, in their misery, be you,

If the shoe was seen in reverse.

Being them could not be fun-

In their anger and in their fury.

So, be not their judge and jury.

Be kind, and God will say well-done.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 6/19/2026

 

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:3 NIV 

 

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 NIV  

 

“Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:9 NIV  

 

Humble

There is a fun song, It’s Hard to Be Humble, written by Mac Davis. It goes something like: 

 

Oh Lord it's hard to be humble
When you're perfect in every way
I can't wait to look in the mirror
Cause I get better looking each day
To know me is to love me
I must be a hell of a man
Oh Lord It's hard to be humble,
But I'm doing the best that I can

 

When I thought of being humble, this song came to mind, but I also thought, more seriously, about how I am instructed to be meek and humble. I am to think more of others and less of myself. Jesus gave many examples of being humble. 

 

Jesus humbled Himself when He, The King of Kings and Lord of Lords, left His heavenly throne to come to earth and be born in a stable. 

Jesus humbled Himself by becoming a simply carpenter’s son who never took on an earthly title.

Jesus humbled Himself when He washed the feet of His disciples.

Jesus humbled Himself by being obedient to death-even death on the cross.

 

A few instructions good for me to remember and be encouraged by are:     

 

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up. James 4:10

“And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the Lord turned from him…”  2 Chronicles 12:12a

“Better to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” Proverbs 16:19

“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God …humbleness of mind…” Colossians 3:12 

I end with, "Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble, but to be humble is my desire. I want to follow Your example. I want to be humble in Your sight. I want to be humble when I fall at the feet of my Savior."

Humble

     I supposed most would call February the month of love.  However, love exist every month, and Jesus shows us the full extent of love. 

     I find in Philippians 2:8, “He humbled Himself.” Yet, in the verses between 5 and 8, Jesus existed in the form of God before humbling Himself to become man.  By doing so, He showed us what love really is, for “God is love,” and within love there is a humbleness.  

     I know that I am called to be humble and to love, but my fleshly desires and self-will hinders this action.  Only by a desire to follow Jesus’ example can I truly accomplish the act of being humble and showing love.   However, love does not stop with being humble, because within love there is also forgiveness.  In the final example and in His final hours, my Jesus exclaimed, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”   

     My prayer today, is that God remove my selfish desires and help me see others in the light of love.  May God help me to rid my judgmental thoughts and ways in order to humble myself to recognize the hurts and feelings of others.  May He also help me be forgiving even when not asked to do so. 

      On a humorous note, I may be able to accomplish some of my prayer today.  I have a few advantages.  I am retired and since it is stormy weather, I will be inside at home today with possible only one contact, a caring, gentle, and undemanding husband who is also very forgiving of my ways.