What is Humility?

What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word "Humility"?
 For most people, the mental picture is somewhere along the lines of a person who has no self-esteem, yet thinks everyone is better than he is.  That is not that proper picture of humility at all but unfortunately, it is what a lot people, even Christians, believe.
So if that's not humility, then what is? The dictionary describes humility as

•  --the quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people : the quality or state of being humble 

Okay, so the dictionary says that humility is being humble, or not thinking that you are better than other people. But what exactly does that mean? Let's see what the Bible says about it.

Philippians 2:1-11 describes Jesus's example of humility in this way-

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:1-11

Jesus provided us with the ultimate example of humility, as described in this passage. He, the Son of God, became human flesh to lay down His life for us!

 Humility is not not thinking  that you are worthless, it is thinking of others more than yourself.  And of course, when you think of other's needs first, you are thinking less of yourself. See how that works? 
When I first heard humility described that way, I was thinking "That makes perfect sense. Why have I never thought about it that way before?" This quote from C.S. Lewis sums it up perfectly:

I hope this encouraged you to think about what humility really means in a whole different way. One of my goals for this summer is to really put into practice the true meaning of humility. Will you join me? 

//Emily