Staying humble

Every now and then, a memory quietly drifts back into our minds – not because we went looking for it, but because it still has something to teach us.
One of those memories for me is of my mentor of 24 years, Pastor Rich. He was a man who faithfully followed the Lord and touched countless lives along the way – mine included. Beyond his ability to preach the gospel of Jesus with love and conviction, he possessed a beautiful singing voice that I secretly envied.
One day, during a conversation about worship, Brother Rich taught me a lesson in humility that has stayed with me ever since.
I have never professed to be a singer. Music was never one of the gifts God entrusted to me. Instead, He carved out a place for me through stories. Somewhere along the way, I discovered that I could often reach people’s hearts with a simple story long before I ever reached their minds with a sermon.
Brother Rich knew that about me. With that familiar twinkle in his eye, he said, “From time to time, you’ll preach a sermon that falls flat. It’s God’s way of keeping you humble.” Then he smiled, adding, “When that happens to me, I can always close with a song.” He paused for just a moment, looked straight at me, and with a chuckle said, “I don’t know what you’re going to do.”
His laughter filled the room, and before long, mine joined his as I realized the truth of his words.
Humility and serving go hand in hand. Moses was one of the great leaders in the Old Testament, yet at the beginning of his journey he confessed to the Lord his inability to speak well (Exodus 4:10). To lead the people, Moses had to rely on God. He could not lead by his own words, but only by the Word of God.
In a similar way, Gideon began his journey by telling the angel of the Lord that he was the least in his father’s house (Judges 6:15). Even so, God called him to lead. Gideon learned that it would not be his strength or courage that would win the battle, but the hand of God.
Looking back, I realize our conversation that day was never really about sermons or songs. It was about humility. God has a gentle way of reminding us that we should not rest in our abilities but in His faithfulness. There are moments when sermons fall flat, when words do not come easily, and when we are reminded that our best efforts are still not enough on their own.
Yet even in those moments, God is still at work. It is true that some people sing, while others preach, teach, or quietly serve behind the scenes, often unnoticed and unrecognized.
Whatever the gift may be, there will always be moments that remind us how much we still need Him. Perhaps that is one of God’s greatest mercies – He loves us enough to keep us humble and He is gracious enough to keep using us anyway.
May we never confuse our ability with His anointing, or our effort with His grace.
Instead, may we allow even our weaknesses to draw us back to Him, trusting that what we cannot do in our own strength, He is still more than able to accomplish through us.
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Cor. 12:9)

Cheryl Mixon-Cruce is Pastor of Ochlockonee Bay United Methodist Church and Sopchoppy United Methodist Church.