Humility in adversity and sin?

Humility leads to being vulnerable . But where does that vulnerability come from? Openness. And that’s a result of acceptance and true honestly with yourself and others. And it may result in interactions and behaviors you may not expect.

We talk a lot about obedience to commandments in faith. But we also talk about meekness. I think often we think that meekness leading to an exacting unquestioning obedience. But I’m not sure anymore.

Meekness is humility. It’s that simple to me. It's an openness and and an acceptance. Now that may lead to some forms of obedience. But it's so much simpler than that to me. 

Humility leads to true kindness. The unfeigned kind. Meekness is compassion in that way. It requires not only the honesty to look truly inward but the fortitude to do something about it. This state of being is one I've seen most often in adversity and recovery. That in the lowest of the low we have to be demonstrably kind and honest with ourselves. And when we're there and failing at that more often than not, we try to share the kindness we wish we had with ourselves with others. 

No where is this more apparent to me than those overcoming addiction and entering recovery.

One of the principles of any recovery groups from addiction leans on radical honesty and accountability. It requires us to truly own our past deeds, mistakes, and struggles as part of a reconciliation process. It comes with the understanding and acceptance that you will potentially branded with past misdeeds and current weaknesses for the rest of your life. The irony of the situation is that by disclosure one can have permanent stigmas for the rest of their life. But I've never met someone with a previous history of addiction that is not actively helping those who need help in their own struggles. In truth often those who may exhibit openly their vices and sins will be more kind than those fighting to those that hide them. 

Often the kindest people in my life are the most apparent sinners and the most judgmental are the most openly pious.

Often pride leads to our prioritization of ethics that are most apparent. It  can lead to a performative obedience. This is really apparent when we think that pride is enmity to God. It leads to the danger of "at least I’m not." 

What do I mean by this?

I can go to church, I can be nice. But that's the focus. The things people can see. 

At least I'm not an addict. At least I'm not wearing something immodest. At least I'm not cursing. At least I'm not a member of the LGBTQ+ community. 

The focus is on what we're not when we're full of pride. It's built on superiority. It's about elevating one's self. 

Obedience becomes a competition. It becomes about how we can display ourselves instead of who we are. And we miss out on so much. 

Faith should be as much about what we're doing as much as what we're not doing.

We all know of the widow’s mite. The poorest and most downtrodden exhibiting the most charity and kindness. Entirely because they know what it’s like to need it. I don't think that stands with just monetary station. Social capital matters. Connection matters. And those who have had the hardest of times often have the most. They don't feel a separation from others because they are part of it. 

That's the difference. It's why those honest about their sin and foibles are so much better at reaching to others. There's no performance. Just kindness and we can learn from that.