I was at a conference with thousands of people with well-known speakers. While there were many keynote speakers on the main stage, most everyone knew who got “top billing” because of the date/time slot. As I was standing for worship, I noticed someone slip into an end seat a couple rows ahead of me. It was the speaker in the coveted time slot.

He was scheduled to speak the next evening. He didn’t have to be at the main session the night before his teaching. And if he wanted to come, he could have sat on the front row. He could have come in with other key speakers or well-known leaders, perhaps even family members who would definitely have given away who he was. But he slipped in alone. He even left his conference nametag behind.

Are you willing to be humble in obscurity?

It’s not too difficult for some of us to slip into the humble chair where no one would notice us. We prefer obscurity.

But back to the keynote speaker…

The following night, he was on the main stage for the most crowded event of the conference. As he taught, cameras projected his face onto several jumbo screens around the room, and his name and main points popped up at the bottom of the screen. No obscurity. He was exposed and could no longer slip into an empty chair nearly unnoticed. His name was on the screen, and his biography was in the conference book.

Are you willing to be humble on center stage?

Humility can’t be selective in situation or convenience. When we place ourselves under the authority of Jesus, becoming humble because of who he is and who he says we are, that humility runs through every situation, relationship, and opportunity in our lives.

Humility is fragile. As soon as we think we have it, we risk pride in our humility, which erodes it. Humility is essential for unity, honor, and maturing faith. Pay attention to where you struggle with humility. Invite God to challenge you even when the pruning of pride is painful.

Stand in worship to God and God alone, and he will continually develop humility in you.