I just stumbled across an interaction online that left me quite stunned and as speechless as the affable Miss Bates in Emma and I, like her, cannot stop speaking of it.

You hear of people who have been turned off of a company when a representative of a company thinks they’re bigger than they should be and makes disparaging remarks to someone “beneath” them. Or when people are turned off at Jesus Christ because of abuse by those in spiritual authority.

Well, this situation was not spiritual, per se, but considering the topic she was responding to, it may as well have been. She used her position in the company to be as demeaning as possible to this person on his “little” blog as she called it not once, but twice. I have to tell you, any respect I had for this company totally walked out the door. Is it fair to the company? I don’t know. Maybe not. Had someone in a lesser position with the company made the same remarks, I would not have had the same response. She made sure he knew where she belonged before she cut him down.

She could have used her position for the good with a gentle challenge if she wanted to, but she didn’t.

Will I change my mind about said company in the future? Possibly. I know others who work there who are respectful and humble.

When it comes to spiritual representation, we must pursue a heart of humility. Not weak and passive, but a respect for others and staying away self-placement on a pedestal. I like this view: “Don’t put me on a pedestal. I’m afraid of heights!”

It takes more strength to say nothing than to spout off and say the wrong thing. It takes strength to have soft answer rather than an arrogant one. Actually, an arrogant one might be truthful, if your heart is arrogant. Arrogance and humility are on opposites sides of the spectrum. Or globe. Or however we measure such things. 🙂

Believe me, this is a reminder directed to myself! It’s my face in the mirror each time I go looking.

Proverbs has strong words to consider:

Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility. Proverbs 18:12