I am doing a two year in-house training at my work place to equip me into a better servant , not only for churches I work with, but the entire body of Christ. One of the modules addresses humility which I’d like to share with you in this column. 

The module says that often, we want to be in the spotlight, we want others to realize how gifted we are, how educated, qualified and effective we are. Some Christians even seek for recognition and fame just for personal reasons. This is not only in the kingdom of the world but also it is among us Christians in the church. I am not saying it is bad to be proud of the gifts God has given us but they should be used for the glory of God and not showing off how strong, loved or even favorite we are.   Let us take a look at King Uzziah, who was used in our training module as an example. He was enthroned at sixteen to lead Judah; which he did for fifty two years. The Bible says he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done.  He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success. He further went to war against the Philistines and broke down the walls of Gath, Jabneh and Ashdod. He then rebuilt towns near Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines. God helped him against the Philistines and against the Arabs who lived in Gur Baal and against the Meunites. The Ammonites brought tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread as far asthe border of Egypt, because he had become very powerful (NIV).  After reaching the peak of power, King Uzziah fell in the trap of extreme power and dominion. He thought he was untouchable; he was the source of his success, he knew it all and no one else was better than him. Uzziah further got it wrong by assuming that all he had achieved was due to his brilliance. 2 Chronicles 26:16-18 tells us that Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the LORD followed him in. They confronted King Uzziah and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the LORD God.”  Even with repeated warnings from elders, Uzziah could not listen-Pride ate him up. In most instances, we are caught up in Uzziah’s state. We want to wear God’s shoes and think we are who we are because of our wisdom, background, skill and education etc.  But, read the outcome to Uzziah blind actions.  Verse 19-21 says Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the LORD’s temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead. When Azariah the chief priest and all the other priests looked at him, they saw that he had leprosy on his forehead, so they hurried him out. Indeed, he himself was eager to leave, because the LORD had afflicted him. King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in a separate house leprous, and banned from the temple of the LORD.   These are important lessons for us because pride leads us to burn incense of our own as we work with people. The best thing for a Christian is to make oneself less and make Christ greater. To conclude, the training module defines humility as putting aside yourself and sacrificing to help others and fearing of the Lord is a foundation to all. The module also cites Proverbs 22:4 which says; Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. We need to desist from human recognition, fame, self satisfaction and switch to serving Christ who was humble yet great. We need to serve others instead of waiting to be served. May the Lord help us to be humble yet great in His eyes. 

 Frank Obonyo is the Partnership Facilitator at Compassion International. He is  also  a  former Sports  Editor at The Standard