How to Exercise a Humble FaithSample

Overlooked Glory

The word glory has several meanings, including ‘great pride,’ ‘honor,’ or ‘fame.’ History has it that many have made glory the goal of their lives, while others have considered it something to run away from. Along both extremes, glory has a way of shedding light on what lies in the human heart.

When musing about glory, we cannot help but weigh in the role of another virtue in the affairs of humanity, which is humility. For a long time, it was believed that humility was to think less of oneself or to put oneself on the bottom rung of the ladder.

However, the character of our Lord Jesus, as portrayed in the Scriptures, has shown us that humility really means ‘to think properly.’ Humility is to see life through the lens of truth, whereas self-hatred is not humility but a twisted form of haughtiness. Being humble is about seeing yourself truly as you really are, unfiltered.

But what is genuine glory? How do we achieve it? How does it look in relation to humility? To seek glory as a life goal, in and of itself, is not glory but vanity. In Scripture, we find that glory is a quality of God. It glows from Him and reaches others. Genuine glory comes when we reflect on God. The great beauty of the gospel is that God has invited us to abide in Him, to be bearers of the fruit that only He produces.

One of the best ways to reflect the glory of our Creator is when we, as His beloved children, become a reflection of who He is. Being patient, for example, could be an extraordinary opportunity for this—being slow to anger, as He also is.

By seeing reality as it is, we realize that anger is an emotion that can get out of control, but it has no real control over our surroundings. When we are wronged, we have the choice to retaliate or to forgive. Forgiveness is part of God’s nature. By acting as God does, we reflect his character and act in a way reminiscent of the God of glory.

We are made in God’s image, and when we reflect His nature, we inherit His glory. When we choose that perspective, it can motivate us to move from anger to patience, from bitterness to forgiveness. The world might think of us as suckers. But the reality is that humility is the source of true glory.

Lord, please, let me remember to overlook offenses and set my eyes on reflecting Your nature to others and bringing glory to Your name.