humility

Dear Friend,

Once called humblebees because of their good nature, bumblebees rarely have it in them to sting. But young children struggled to say humblebee, often resorting to “bumblebee.” Because of the bumblebee’s seemingly awkward movements, the adults adopted the new name.

Bumblebees are among the few insects that can control their body temperature. In cold weather, queens and workers can shiver their flight muscles to warm themselves. Their large size and heat-conserving hairy coats also help them stay warm, allowing them to fly and work in colder climates and lower temperatures than most other insects. 

One day Jesus’ disciples were busy arguing about who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Christ rebuked them gently and said, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves” (Luke 22:25, 26). 

Like the “humblebee,” Christ measures true greatness by humility, not aggressiveness. The nature of a follower of Jesus is to be more like a good child—not busy working to be at the top, but simply living a life of service toward others. It seems impossible that a person could be great by being the least. It also seems impossible for the bumblebee, with their small wings and fat bodies, to fly. 

Perhaps we can learn a lesson from this simple little insect. 

"For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth."

Luke 22:27

-doug batchelor