Pride is Our Greatest Enemy

Phillippians 2: 3  

Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,  each looking out not for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others. Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus...

John H.W. Stott said when speaking on the importance of others; “…at every stage of our Christian development, and in every sphere of our Christian discipleship, pride is our greatest enemy and humility our greatest friend.”

I had occasion to meet and speak with John Stott on two occasions with a great many people present, both times, waiting their turn to greet the twentieth century’s most influential theologian. 

On our 2nd meeting some three years later and on the other side of the Atlantic, he greeted me by name. Admittedly my SA uniform and our few letter exchanges no doubt quickened his memory, but I recall that on both occasions he gave me his full and rapt attention. He knew me! Who was I to deserve such focused consideration?

We’ve all been there haven’t we; a crowded conference or seminar where when speaking to someone their furtive glances bounce past us as though we’re a mere obstruction as they seek whom there might be just beyond us in the room that’s more important, more influential, more attractive… But not John Stott. With a large number huddled within just a few feet waiting to catch his attention John Stott’s attitude was by my account a man who humbled himself, seeing me as better, worthy.

In this series we’ve met Captain Paul Thistle, a world-renowned surgeon who’d be welcomed and comfortable in most any operating theatre. Yet, he elects to humble himself, having Christ’s mind, and taking on the role of the servant.  It is difficult to underestimate the impact he has had on the  communities and the impoverished Chiweshe district where he lives and serves.

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C.S. Lewis helpfully said, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.” Humility is not thinking that others are more intelligent, more deserving or simply better at living life than you. They may be. But Paul Thistle’s humility is one that considers other people’s interests before his own.

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.” - Dr. Paul Thistle, left family, friends, a surgeon's high-income salary and comfort behind, and thought nothing of lowering himself year after year after year….

Howard Hospital meets not only the medical needs of the community but is a 
haven of ‘hope and comfort’. As Dr. Thistle says, "cure sometimes, care always'  (rapa dzimwenguva gara) seeing others as more worthy, and doing so ministering in Shona, his adopted native language.

“He doth much who loveth much; he doth much who doth well; and he doth much and well who constantly prefereth the good of the community to the gratification of his own will." [Thomas A Kempis, 1380--1477]
 

Dr. Paul sees the hundreds of thousands suffering native African Zimbabwean as worthy, better and more important than himself; his fellow villagers in need of healing and Christ's message of hope. A servant indeed! God bless Dr. Thistle and his servant ministry. 

Dr. Sven Ljungholm
Liverpool