How Can I Get Some of That?

A number of years ago, I sat in Mike Moran’s office as he advised me on an issue I don’t even remember today. What I do remember is one thing he said that has made a huge impact on how I understand myself and those around me. I even used it in raising my children.

The concept Mike shared with me was “humility coexisting with confidence.” At first, I had a hard time understanding how those two things could work simultaneously. How can you be confident if you are humble? How can you be humble if confident? What is the opposite of humility? Isn’t it pride?

I thought about the times I have lacked confidence and the times I have lacked humility. (A good friend and spiritual leader once told me I was so full of myself, it was hard just to be around me. Thanks, Jack!) I pondered our relationship with God and what He says to and about us as His followers. I discovered a few things.

I am drawn to those who have this trait of humble confidence. In view of that, these questions are worth our consideration: Do we enjoy people who are full of themselves? Do we like to be around people who are so timid and self-demeaning they drag us down? Do we want to spend time with the person who is a braggart due to deep-seated insecurities? Do we like ourselves when we are any of these things? I know I don’t.

Instead, we are drawn to people who are confident, but humble. I had the privilege of being mentored for a number of years by Peter Johansen. (Peter also played cupid with me and a young lady named Bobbi, whom I later married and with whom had two children, Peter and Katherine.) In my years of privileged mentorship, I found that Peter (Johansen) definitely does not lack confidence, but he is still humble. Where can I get some of this? How can I become more like my mentor? That answer is easy.

Stand before God. See Him for Who He is: perfect, holy, omnipresent, omnipotent, omni-everything. How can anyone be anything other than humble after seeing that? Now consider what He says about you. You are: His child, His friend, chosen by Him, a joint heir with Christ, united with Him, a saint, His workmanship and possessor of the power of the resurrection. Can you still lack confidence? So humble confidence is not only possible, it is indicative of someone who spends time facing God and listening to Him through prayer and His Word.

Just as we will never achieve perfect holiness, we also will never achieve perfect humility or confidence, let alone humble confidence. However, I believe we need to work on developing this character trait and help others do the same. Because not only are believers drawn to those with this trait, but so are non-believers, and they will want to know, “How can I get some of that?”

I have since shared this concept of humble confidence with a number of people. Just recently I reminded my son of this as he excels at US Coast Guard “A”-School. He told me he tells other “Coasties” about it and many think it is brilliant. He often gives me credit, but I defer credit to Mike Moran, who undoubtedly gives credit where the credit is due… in humble confidence, of course

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