A Rude Awakening

Just as I began my seminary education, filled with a love of learning and a hunger to serve God, I attended a lecture. It was given at a nearby think tank, and the presenter was an author whom I admired at the time. It was early fall, and with no term papers nor grading to be done, quite a few academics attended this lecture. The introduction included a welcome to other noteworthy theologians attending the lecture. 

After the lecture, they held a reception in a small room, and I found myself pressed right next to one of the supposed luminaries. Unfortunately, I hadn’t heard heard his name. I felt the necessity of interacting with him, given that I was stuck next to him. I ventured forward with a “Hello, my name is,” and then apologized for not catching his name earlier. He then looked at me with the greatest of condescension and asked me a question: “What year are you?” I said I was a first-year student. He then said something like, “Well, you’ll figure it out eventually,” and left. 

His response stung, and I was embarrassed. But on the other hand, I think I knew something that the professor hadn’t learned, despite his accomplishments. No follower of Jesus, no matter how accomplished, no matter how renowned, deserves to treat another person with that type of pride. Throughout my studies, I met similar people. That is, folks who had dedicated their lives to studying the Christian faith, but whose words and actions did not demonstrate a grace-filled, humble way of leading others towards Christ. I can imagine that some might read this and think, “Stu is being overly harsh.” It’s possible. Or, “Stu is proud himself.” Absolutely. All of us struggle with pride. But I would say that it is something I am aware of, and something I have been working on my entire life. And to be honest, it’s something I will have to work on for the rest of my life.

The ugliness of that event shaped my resolve about something. That is, if someone I encounter is brazenly proud, whether they be a pastor or professor, I will not place myself under their teaching. Humility is absolutely foundational for any ministry that claims to be under the authority of Jesus Christ. If it becomes clear that a teacher approaches the world from a place of pride and arrogance, then they are not trustworthy. 

Let me give an example of this. I remember when a famous but now disgraced leader was still in his heyday, and some of my friends were talking about just how powerful this guy’s preaching was. I listened to him a few times, but then I read a transcript of an interview he did with a journalist in the U.K. The degree of hubris, dismissiveness, and condescension he displayed was such I knew I could never listen to his teaching ever again. 

Not trustworthy.

Each of us, no matter how learned we may become, no matter how many degrees or awards we might amass, we are all called to remain beginners. 

Why is that, you might ask? Why does God desire for us to remain humble, even as our skills, our knowledge, our expertise grow? 

Humility: Vertical & Horizontal

The first is God’s grace toward us. This is God’s greatest gift to us, other than himself. If it is true that I can never earn my salvation, then remaining humble is a lifeline to me. It grounds me in the reality that my self-salvation and self-justification projects are fundamentally flawed. There is no life there. But there is life when we surrender ourselves to God.

The second reason is primarily horizontal, manifesting in our relationships with each other. When we experience humility in another person, it puts us at ease. It conveys to the other, “You can relax. You don’t have to posture or perform, you can simply come and be.” And that is a gift. As social creatures, we often mimic the behavior of others. How does it make you feel when you meet someone for the first time and they immediately begin listing their accomplishments? They brag about their successes at work, their perfect families, etc. For most of us, we probably feel inclined to one of two routes. One, we try to compete. Or two, we sort of sink backward. 

I remember another time in seminary there was a new student who showed up at some get-together. I don’t remember a word of what he said, but I can tell you the underlying message: “I’m the smartest guy in the room.” At the end of the night, I remember turning to my wife, Colleen, and saying, “I can’t every hang out with that guy again, being around that ego is not going to be good for me.” Now, fifteen years later, I wonder if I would have the ability to hear that ego and recognize that behind that bravado is a world of pain, someone trying his best to find significance through performance and adulation. 

The truth is, I’m still on this journey myself. I struggle with pride. I struggle with trying to find my value in what I accomplish and how I perform. But lately, God has been showing me that that the well of accomplishment will eventually run dry. There is another well from which to drink. And this other well, though difficult, and humbling, actually runs so much deeper, and is filled with so much more life and joy, than we could ever experience as we rely on ourselves.

Stuart Strachan Jr. is an ordained Presbyterian Pastor as well as the founder and lead curator of the Pastor’s Workshop. His primary passion is equipping the saints for the ministry of the church (Ephesians 4). He loves preaching, teaching, and helping churches cast vision for what it means to follow Jesus in the 21st Century. He has served churches in a variety of capacities in California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

Stu is married to Colleen, who currently serves as a spiritual formation lead at Compassion International in Colorado Springs. Stu and Colleen have two children (Jack and Emma) whom they love deeply.

In his free time, Stu enjoys gardening, golf, reading a good book, and watching baseball.