"The taller the bamboo grows, the lower it bends."
– (Filipino Proverb)
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There’s a curious flaw in human nature: we all tend to think we’re better than we are. Psychologists call it the Lake Wobegon effect, after Garrison Keillor’s fictional town where "all the children are above average." It’s a reminder of how easily we overestimate our intelligence, kindness, and moral standing. We assume we’re wiser than most, more discerning, and less prone to error than the people around us.
But Jesus' words cut through this illusion: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). True wisdom doesn’t come from believing we are above average—it comes from recognizing our limitations. Time and again, Jesus praised those who saw themselves as small and warned against the dangers of self-importance. The Pharisees thought they were enlightened, yet they were blind. The disciples argued over who was the greatest, yet Jesus placed a child before them as the true model of greatness (Matthew Matthew 23:12.
If I assume I’m already wise, already prepared, already better than most, I stop growing. Complacency takes root, and self-deception follows. Jesus' teachings remind me that humility is not about thinking less of myself, but about seeing myself clearly acknowledging my flaws, remaining teachable, and striving to become better.
Rather than measuring myself by comparison to others, I need to measure myself by truth and action. It’s not enough to assume I am prepared—I must actively work at it. Jesus’ call to humility is not just a moral lesson; it’s the key to real wisdom. The moment I think I’ve arrived at is the moment I need to step back and remember: the greatest in the kingdom is the one who serves (Matthew 23:11).