Did you hear about the pastor who was voted “The Most Humble Pastor in America?” The congregation he was leading even gave him a medal with those exact words engraved on it.

However, the very next week, the pastor wore the medal to church — so they ended up taking it away from him. I have often wondered how many people have won “medals” that no one ever knows about, unless they wear them to church, to school or to work. While we know we cannot (And should not!) do that I think many would agree that deep down inside, everyone has a desire to be recognized in some way. We want to be seen, appreciated and even lifted up above others.

Knowing this can become a great temptation in our lives, the Word of God instructs us to “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you.” (1 Peter 5:6) If there were ever a command, we would have a hard time following, it is this one.

When we hear the word “humble,” we often associate it with suffering, languishing, misery or agony. And if we’re honest, we don’t like to suffer. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who wants their life associated with the proverbial “sackcloth and ashes” approach. But this is where we need to lean in and listen carefully to what the Lord is teaching us through the Apostle Peter.

Peter is saying something profound: humility brings exaltation! I love the simplicity here. The clear, concise point Peter is making is that you and I are given two options in this life:

Option #1: You can be exalted now and humbled later.

Option #2: You can be humbled now and exalted later.

God is saying, “The choice is yours. If you really want man’s exaltation, take it, but you will never receive Mine. But… if you humble yourself now, I will exalt you. I will lift you up, and I will bless you for all the days to come.”

Why is this important? Because we live in a world that screams a very dangerous lie, that is unless you earn multiple degrees, publish a book, have a building named after you or become rich, famous, influential, beautiful or powerful, you are a failure. When that way of thinking is completely wrong!

The Bible teaches that mankind cannot truly exalt mankind. Sure, some may try, but only “the mighty hand of God” can truly exalt a person. God will do it in His way and in His time. One day, every one of us will stand “pros ton Theon,” Latin for “before the face of God.”

At that moment, we will either be exalted or abased. Jesus taught us plainly: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not do many mighty works in your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me you workers of lawlessness.'” (Matthew 7:21-23)

How sad, how tragic is that? While many people have done many wonderful things, unfortunately they have done it to be exalted by man. That is what pride does.

I once read, “It was pride that lit the fires of hell, and it is pride that continues to populate it.” Pride separates us from God. Pride isolates, destroys and glorifies self. Yet there will be others who stand before the face of God, who are people who quietly, patiently and humbly endured. They died to self and are alive in Christ. They are the ones who will be exalted.

Thankfully, Jesus made it very clear by saying “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26)

What a blessing to know that Jesus Himself demonstrated this perfectly when “He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8)

Now, may we learn to have the faith necessary to truly follow Jesus in every area of our life and allow Him to exalt us, and not man.

Trust me, there will be no need for us to wear the many medals we’ve won for others to see!

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Finding Faith is written by area pastors. This week’s column comes from Rev. Tim Boger, senior pastor of Big Woods Bible Church in Lock Haven.