US Chapel Speech October 16, 2012 Have you ever had humble pie?

US Chapel SpeechOctober 16, 2012Have you ever had humble pie? Maybe it was a slice, or perhaps the whole pie? If youhave had humble pie, then you must be familiar with the warning label that says - Hard todigest, especially when you’re full - full of yourself. You are probably also familiar withthe ingredients included in humble pie - embarrassment, hurt feelings, self-reflection,perspective, perseverance, and modesty. I have had humble pie a few times. But thegood news is that I believe that with God all things are possible and it is because of myfaith that I am taught valuable lessons about myself and my relationship with God when Ihave humble pie.In the verse that was read, Matthew chapter 23 verse 12 - it says this, " And whoeverexalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." If youhaven't had humble pie yet, not to worry, we all perhaps get to try it at some point.Humble pie tastes differently depending on how big the slice. I will share one examplewhere I exalted myself and consequently had humble pie - a pretty big slice of it I mightadd.In tenth grade, I joined the track team. Running wasn't something I particularly enjoyed,but my Science teacher who was also the assistant track coach said I should give it atry. In practice, I began to focus on the 200meters race. At first I did not feel like I wasparticularly good, but I received a lot of encouragement and managed to finish races inthe low end of the somewhat respectable time range. So, one day on the way to a trackmeet the coach says, " we're down a runner, Courtney, (that's me for those of you thatdon't know my first name) you'll run the 400 meters today." In my head I was thinking,"No sweat! Piece of cake! I have run the 200, so I should be good, 'cause the 400 is onlydouble." I got up to the line and all of the girls were talking about how I was probablygoing to win because my legs are long. I told the girls (aka my competition) that Iprobably wasn't going to win, so they didn’t have to worry. Then they said, " Oh nowyou're trying to psych us out!" I actually wasn't trying to psych them out or mess withtheir confidence, but I was starting to believe their hype about my foreshadowed victoryand was feeling pretty good about the 400 meters ahead of me. The crowd was loud.There were hundreds of people standing around the track and in the stands, and my littlebrother was on his feet cheering before the starting gun was blown. When the race beganI took off at full speed. Can you guess what happened next? Well, at about 200 meters Ihit a wall (not literally, but a mental and physical strength wall). I was quickly lapped byall of the other runners and my coach was jogging (that’s right, I was no longer running)along side of me to encourage me to the finish line. I came in last place with manyminutes added to my time, and subsequently I had a hardy slice of humble pie.The warning label is right, it is hard to digest when you’re full of yourself and I couldtaste every ingredient - especially the ones at the top - embarrassment and hurt feelings -but also self-reflection, perspective, perseverance, and modesty. Eventually, I was ableto brainstorm what I could have done differently to prepare for the next time.

Let me be clear that exalting oneself is not the same as confidence. Having confidence inyourself includes believing in your abilities. Exalting yourself includes arrogance andusually means that humble pie is in your near future.We have seen many examples in the media and around us of people being humbled. Mymessage to all of you is to acknowledge when you are having humble pie. It is usuallyduring those moments that you grow the most. I encourage you to be confident, trust inyour spiritual relationship(s), whether that relationship is with God or another form of ahigher power, and take time to1. ask for help2. help others3. show empathy4. Be happy for others5. and say thank youI have realized that humble pie is taken off of the menu when I have sought out advice,helped someone in need, listened to the stories of other people, and when I have showngratitude for all of my blessings. When I stray from these five things in the hustle andbustle of life I am reminded of a phrase that my childhood pastor would say mostSundays – “It is not my business how you treat me, but it’s God’s business how I treatyou.” I hope this message is helpful to you.Thank You.