Authentic Status

The other day we had lunch with one of our friends. She is a very talented person, extremely gifted in organization. Recently she directed a school play, a musical on the Book of Esther. The reviews in the paper commented that it was so well done it could have been “professional” theater. Our friend is an accomplished vocalist and has been asked to direct a couple of concerts this year. She told us that when people ask her what she does she replies, “I’m a mom.”

This blog is not about motherhood or working women. I believe in both. My thoughts are about two other things, humility and status.

Unless you have spent much time in this culture you can’t really appreciate the importance of status in this society. Everyone is forever dropping names, offering their credentials, analyzing your name to determine your caste, examining your clothes to see where you rank socio-economically and even how fair your skin is to determine if you are from the north or south. Our friend has the pedigree, credentials and contacts that could really impress, if she was into that. In fact, if it wasn’t for her personality she could use all that status stuff to really be obnoxious. Instead of turning to a professional status, she says simply, “I’m a mom.”

People of this world system really don’t respect humble people. They see humility as weakness, maybe even false. I find our friend and her husband’s humility so wonderfully refreshing. Arrogance is such a trap and I feel it in my own life. I see it in others as well, who are obsessed with the things they buy or the house they live in. I know others who, in attempt to be humble, make sure everyone knows the sacrifices they are making. Our friend’s house is nice and very comfortable, but not extravagant. They dress well, but their wardrobe doesn’t scream, “Look at me.” (Actually, the husband is so laid back there may be times when he could ratchet it up a notch. But, that’s why we’re such good friends as I am a bit of a frump). Humility is a Christ-like character, as Jesus displayed humbleness from the cradle to the cross, yet He was the King.

What our friend’s have taught me is that one does not need to sell yourself to make it in this world. That is a Western capitalist free-market economy concept. My favorite verse is, “See a man [or mom] skilled their work? They will serve before kings, not serve before obscure men” (Proverbs 22:29). The Master told us the meek will inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). Good reminders…do your work well and walk with humility. You won’t have to tell others how great you are, they will know it.