In Pursuit of Humility, Or a Lesson from Audubon

The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:10

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Colossians 3:12

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

The children’s book The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies and Melissa Sweet highlights the fact that many years ago, people didn’t know why birds disappeared in the winter. Some theories: They hibernated under the ice, similar to what turtles do; they hibernated in tree trunks and logs; they went to the moon (!). While these theories may seem silly today, until Audubon helped to prove that birds flew south and then returned to their breeding/nesting grounds north in the spring, people simply did not know.

We don’t always have the answers. This may be true when we experience doubt, or when we are boastful. God is in control. When we learn that what we thought was true is not or has changed, we are humbled.

Prayer: Dear Lord, it’s sometimes hard to admit when we don’t have the answers, or to admit we may be wrong about something. Help us to be open and show humility, especially when interacting with others. Amen.

Donna Gustafson

I’ve included a photo of a white-crowned sparrow, said to be Audubon’s favorite bird (I took this photo in Colorado in 2023). Click on photos to view larger.