Late For Lunch (Humility)

 There was one summer camp young people went to once they reached a certain teen age.  It could be quite fun unless of course, you were late for a meal.  Those who had been on time would collectively burst into song, singing,

"What we want is more punctuality,

More punctuality, more punctuality,

What we want is more punctuiality,

We were here on time ..."

It was all in good fun but a message was conveyed to the latecomers.

A person can forgive another if lateness is a one-off thing but if it is a habitual habit it shows a disregard for others, for their time, that you think you are more important than the ones who wait, and even demanding from those who had been punctual - their forbearance as you made them wait.

What happens to the demeanor of the latecomer, or to anyone who needs gentle correction?  Are they 'open to reason' or will they just ignore feedback and go on their merry way unchanged?

The wise are those who take heed.

"Wisdom from above is ... open to reason" (James 3:17 & 18).

The opposite of 'open to reason' is 'ignoring feedback'.  Ignoring feedback is a hindrance to developing humility.  This means when someone mentions an area in our attitude or character that needs improvement, we ignore it.  We don't care, or don't want to show they'd hit the nail on the head.

We feel too proud to accept we might have a weakness and certainly won't wish to acknowledge one.  But if we want to cultivate humility, we will be 'open to reason'.  We will examine ourselves to see if the person has been correct about us.  If so, we will then accept it, and take remedial action, when and where necessary.

Specific behavior can change and lead to greater humility the more an individual is open to feedback and engages a willing heart to do better.  This in turn could lead to greater wisdom and a Christlike attitude.

May the Lord's wisdom from above prompt us towards attitudes that please Him.  We can make it an offering, a scarifice of our will to His.  May His Holy Spirit work mightily within us towards such an outcome.  We especially don't want to be 'late for lunch'.

                                                 ~ ERC  December 2025 ~

Based on James 3:17 & 18 ESV.

Sing, Humbled Heart, along with Sarah Kroger (Acoutsic).