Are you a worm and no man on the job? (The Rule of St Benedict revisited)
At work, it's all about results. There are all sorts of "self-improvement" and "personal development" books and programs that will tell you how to be more successful. Some companies run programs on this stuff for their employees, even pay consultants to come in and run programs.
You'll hear a lot about "positive thinking," "embracing change," and "being team player," among other things. I imagine you know what I mean. I've been through maybe dozens of these sessions. It's a big business - and all to get you to be more productive.
The Rule of St Benedict is about results too - how to be a successful monk. And it talks about humility quite a bit. The "seventh degree" of humility is when you know deep down that you are "a worm and no man." The Rule doesn't waste time with "positive thinking." It doesn't pull any punches.
But what about humility on the job? Can humility make you more successful at work? You really don't hear much about it. (Imagine talking to your boss about being more humble? I wouldn't try it, at least under most circumstances.)
We tend to think we're "putting ourselves down" when we think of humility these days. That's because we live in perverse times. It's not putting ourselves down when we strive to be humble. In fact, it's not putting ourselves down to think you're a worm and no man. It's more like facing the truth.
And let's face it, if you dig deep and really take a look, is a "worm and no man" far from the truth? Aren't most of us struggling against sin every day? And don't most of us find all sorts of excuses for sin and bad behavior? It's never just us - our sinful act or bad behavior. There are so many "extenuating circumstances" that explain why we thought or did or said what we did.
But those excuses just divert our minds from the truth. They weaken us. We slip farther away from God and slowly, steadily poach in a lukewarm spiritual timidity. We never really face the cold, hard truth about ourselves.
Let's get tough on ourselves. It's a humbling experience - but it makes us stronger. Humility builds our spiritual strength. And what's more important: looking good or looking for and seeing the truth?
Humility is all about truth. And only the truth sets us free.
You'll hear a lot about "positive thinking," "embracing change," and "being team player," among other things. I imagine you know what I mean. I've been through maybe dozens of these sessions. It's a big business - and all to get you to be more productive.
The Rule of St Benedict is about results too - how to be a successful monk. And it talks about humility quite a bit. The "seventh degree" of humility is when you know deep down that you are "a worm and no man." The Rule doesn't waste time with "positive thinking." It doesn't pull any punches.
But what about humility on the job? Can humility make you more successful at work? You really don't hear much about it. (Imagine talking to your boss about being more humble? I wouldn't try it, at least under most circumstances.)
We tend to think we're "putting ourselves down" when we think of humility these days. That's because we live in perverse times. It's not putting ourselves down when we strive to be humble. In fact, it's not putting ourselves down to think you're a worm and no man. It's more like facing the truth.
And let's face it, if you dig deep and really take a look, is a "worm and no man" far from the truth? Aren't most of us struggling against sin every day? And don't most of us find all sorts of excuses for sin and bad behavior? It's never just us - our sinful act or bad behavior. There are so many "extenuating circumstances" that explain why we thought or did or said what we did.
But those excuses just divert our minds from the truth. They weaken us. We slip farther away from God and slowly, steadily poach in a lukewarm spiritual timidity. We never really face the cold, hard truth about ourselves.
Let's get tough on ourselves. It's a humbling experience - but it makes us stronger. Humility builds our spiritual strength. And what's more important: looking good or looking for and seeing the truth?
Humility is all about truth. And only the truth sets us free.
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