One of the questions in the recent Presidential debates was asked by Saddleback Church pastor, Rick Warren: “At what point does a baby get human rights, in your view?” Barack Obama responded, “Well, you know, I think that whether you’re looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity, you know, is above my pay grade.”
Obama’s response, “above my pay grade” when it comes to a theological perspective is one which ought to be taken to heart. The words are plain – perhaps overly so – but the message of humility before the Creator which they are meant to convey is absolutely appropriate. Indeed, humility before the wonder and work of God, such as when human life first embodies a divine soul, is one of the resounding messages of the birth of Jesus.
The message of the birth of Jesus is, in part, this: just when we think we know the ways in which God works, what God means, intends, or expects, the biblical record illustrates that God does the completely unexpected by surprising humanity with new insights, new discoveries, and new directions. Check out Micah 6:8!
In our theologically divided world of religious certainty we need humility, not more certainty. Certainty is killing us! The Taliban comes to mind.
Would we not be in a better spiritual place if we were more humble, if we recognized that it is above our pay grade to be absolutely certain about such questions as life’s origins, ultimate meanings and who they are who receive God’s blessings? Would we not be in a far better place spiritually if we were more like surprised shepherds falling to our knees than religious authorities making a pronouncement?
Star Child is one of the hymns of Christmas that means the most to me. It is a hymn that speaks of God’s actions in life as completely above any of our pay grades. It advocates a joyful humility. In this respect the phrase of Star Child’s refrain is so very, very important to our theologically certain and judgmental age. “This year, THIS year, let the day arrive when Christmas comes to everyone, everyone alive.” Amen!
Dr Chalker
Your message about humility is a great first blog message. It could actually be the foundation of the blog. I believe that it is more important to know what is right than who is right. When I lack humility, I usually get that principle turned around.
I have found in my years on this earth that the alternative to humiliation is humility. When I get out of the way and let God work through me I don’t have much need of demonstrating or being recognized for my intelligence or giftedness.
Having spent my career working in the field of addiction recovery I am pretty familiar with the program of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). One of the co-founders of AA was Dr Bob Smith from Akron, OH. I believe that Dr Bob’s work and that of his associates may have been the most significant occurrence of the 20th century.
Below are the words from a plaque that sat on Dr Bob’s desk. How much did this message have to do with the successful development and expansion of the program of AA? How much does this message have to do with our ability to do His will? “Answering that question with specificity, you know, is above my pay grade.”
Humility is…
Perpetual quietness of heart.
It is to have no trouble.
It is never to be fretted or vexed, irritable or sore;
to wonder at nothing that is done to me,
to feel nothing done against me.
It is to be at rest when nobody praises me,
and when I am blamed or despised,
to have a blessed home in myself
where I can go in and shut the door
and kneel to my Father in secret and be at peace,
as in a deep sea of calmness,
when all around and about is seeming trouble.
Dr. Chalker,
I want you to know that this message brought such joy to my soul. For the past few years, I have been at odds with the numbers of judgemental and certain Christians around me. So much so, that when I moved to the Westside of town, I did not try to find a new church to attend so that I could find some clairity and take a break from it all!
I love the Lord and believe whole heartedly in Jesus and strive daily to be more like him. God has blessed me with an amazing man and we are getting married in July. We moved in together last July after 2 years of dating -knowing we were committed to eachother and that we would be married.
My close friend of almost 20 years told me that she could not stand up in my wedding to be a bridesmaid because she does not believe my marriage can be blessed the way God intends. We have also run into pastors and ministers who are not willing to marry us because we are not currently members of a church and because we live together. It angers me to see this judgement because of what it does to the church as a whole. I know where my heart is and am at peace…
Needless to say, when I read this my heart jumped for joy:
“In our theologically divided world of religious certainty we need humility, not more certainty. Certainty is killing us! The Taliban comes to mind. Would we not be in a better spiritual place if we were more humble, if we recognized that it is above our pay grade to be absolutely certain about such questions as life’s origins, ultimate meanings and who they are who receive God’s blessings?”
I would love to attend your church, but we are trying to find somewhere in our local community of Westlake to serve… Any reccommendations would be great! And, we are still looking for an officiant to marry us on July 18th. Again, reccommendations welcome!