Article August 8, 1959 Issue

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRUE HUMILITY

RAY D. KELSEY

Very often in modern usage the word "humility" becomes confused with the thought of humiliation. Thus the notion that in order to be humble, one must lower his self-respect tends to obscure the importance of true humility in our growth in Christian Science.

Our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, tells us in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 354), "Experience shows that humility is the first step in Christian Science, wherein all is controlled, not by man or laws material, but by wisdom, Truth, and Love." Thus we are not only made aware of the importance of humility, but we are assured that true humility means much more than going about with a lowly feeling. For its acquirement brings a joyous realization of the ever-presence of God and a knowledge of our oneness with Him as His expression.

By turning to Truth with humility, we find new meaning in Peter's words (I Pet. 5:6), "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." By this humbling of ourselves, reducing our sense of pride, self-importance, and self-assertion to nothingness, we are exalted. If we have acknowledged that God is the only presence and power and are willing really to let His will be done, we are lifted to new heights of understanding, power, and glory through the activity of wisdom, Truth, and Love.

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