150 words or less

Don’t Shove Your Way to the Top

Shouldn’t we claim what we’re entitled to?

Photo by Hitesh Dewasi on Unsplash

When I was six, my parents attended a banquet. My mother told me later, “An usher urged us to sit in front, but we took a seat in back. More important people might attend. Somebody else pushed their way to the front, but they were asked to leave. Then we were invited to move forward.”

My mother said she was following the bible. We’re supposed to be humble.

But for years, I didn’t understand. Shouldn’t we claim what we’re entitled to?

Then I read this: “Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.” (The Message)

Humility isn’t about being a doormat. It’s about thinking of others. Then you will move to the front.