Humility Precedes Honor
I’ve recently been introduced to the Ennegram.It has really opened my eyes to various personality styles and how we interact and our personalities intersect. My oldest son first spoke with me about it and a friend at my office then recommended a good book that introduces the Ennegram. The book is called “The Road Back To You”and it a well written description as well as application of how the Ennegram works. The authors are Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile. This whole concept of personality types is a bit deep, but really fascinating. It simply gives me explanation as to my “personality wiring diagram”.
The Proverb writer, Solomon, probably didn’t have access to the Ennegram, but he spoke with deep wisdom about relationships and personality. He gave such insight to wisdom and how we should live before the Lord. Check this out….
30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;
good news makes for good health.
31 If you listen to constructive criticism,
you will be at home among the wise.
32 If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself;
but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.
33 Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom;
humility precedes honor.(Proverbs 15:30-33 NLT)
If I learned anything from my study of the Ennegram, it is keenly important to be “self-aware”. Be aware of how I’m being perceived by the other person. If the other person thinks that my confidence is arrogance, then that is their view of me. It is up to me to change their perception of me. They can be absolutely wrong in their perception, but I must learn to understand the lens through which they view the world. It will help me to communicate with them about every topic. It was really devastating to me years ago when I was first in student ministry that someone would not like me. I thought I was a great guy. I loved everyone (or so I thought) and I served students and their families. I learned that some people judged me and criticized me behind the scenes to the Pastor who was my “direct report”. They didn’t like me due to the position I held.
I’m still learning that today. There are people who barely know me, but don’t “like” me. It’s either because of the position I’m in as a Husband, Dad, Friend, Church Leader, REALTOR, Business Owner, etc…. This list could be long I guess. As a Christ follower, I’m called to love others. I’m called to be patient with others. I’m called to love even those who don’t “like” me. I will tell you that it bothers me when people judge me without knowing me or assume things about me without asking me. I have learned to turn all of this over to the Lord. I do seek His help in loving those who are hard to love. I need His help to love those who want to bring harm to me, my family or my business.
I’m listening to the Lord as He teaches me more about Himself. In the process of learning about Him, I’m seeing myself differently. I want to remain teachable, humble and loving. I want to have a cheerful and humble heart always. I believe that the truth of who I am will keep coming from deep inside my heart out to the surface of my life.
Pressing On!
Dwayne