Blog
It’s one thing to have confidence. It’s another to be arrogant.
This was a common phrase I would go over with my former students as they prepared for their medical school interviews.
These are top of the top students, what we say in the south as “cream of the crop”. They have devoted themselves to their dream of becoming a doctor and have worked hard academically, philanthropically, and socially. They are leaders, volunteers, and dedicated to their academics. Many of them are at the top of their class, winning several awards and achievements along the way.
Of course they should be proud of themselves.
But pride can go too far.
Especially in the medical profession.
Medicine is an area where the patient must come first. It’s not about the prestige of a doctor, but about the pursuit of health for the patient.
It’s the students I’ve worked with that have overcome great obstacles and challenges and yet still find ways to put others’ needs before their own that impress me the most.
As we prepared to write their essay for their med school application, stories would be told of moments where medicine took on a whole different meaning. It wasn’t just about saving someone’s life or finding a cure, but about giving them dignity in their final days or helping someone that had no hope and no means.
Those were the students I knew would make great physicians. No one ever leaves a doctor’s office and says, “wow, that doctor has won so many awards, made a great score on her MCAT, or is the president of their association.” Instead, you hear thankfulness in their voice as they recall their doctor’s kindness, thoughtfulness, and the time they took to listen to them.
Luke 14:7-12
“And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
Here, Jesus is speaking to those that were invited to this prominent Pharisee’s home. Think about who would be in attendance. These would be people the Pharisee was trying to impress. He takes a moment to speak to them about seeking honor.
Can you imagine the embarrassment and shame you would feel if you had been invited to an event and you assumed you were the most important guest, so much that you claimed the best seat? Think about a wedding. Would you sit at the bride’s table as a guest? How humiliating it would be to have the bride’s father come and ask you to move so that someone else could sit there.
It’s one thing to have confidence. It’s another to be arrogant.
This is a shame/honor culture, which means this parable would have hit the intended mark in the hearts and minds of these men. The Pharisees sought prestige and honor, many times at the expense of others, especially the less fortunate. They thought of themselves as the most important person in every room they entered.
His words to them cut deep.
“For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
In God’s Kingdom, service is more important than status.
It’s easy to let our positions, accomplishments and even names go to our heads. The amount of money in our bank account, the fancy clothes in our closet, the expensive car, truck or boat make us feel like we’ve really achieved something. Like we’ve arrived at some place of honor. But the Lord, it is He that should receive all glory and honor.
He chose to serve us.
He chose to die for us.
He chose to save us.
He chose to use us in His perfect plan.
Humbly, we bow before the King of Kings, the Creator of All, the One who always was and always will be,
My Lord,
Jesus Christ.
Copyright © 2023 by Yalanda Merrell Lifeword.org. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from Lifeword.org