Introduction
INTRODUCTION
ack in 2009 I wrote the book The True Measure of a Man, which was based on a series of talks I had given to a large group of businessmen. These talks focused on how hard it generally was to face the financial challenges in our lives in light of the economic hardship that the entire world was then experiencing. Those were unprecedented times, and there was a great deal of uncertainty everywhere. Almost every man I knew was wondering what was going to happen next and how it would impact him and his family. What made it so difficult was that much of what was taking place in the economy was completely out of their control.
Here we are, almost nine years later, and everything has changed. The economy is good, the unemployment rate is low, and the Dow Industrial Average is at an all-time high. The fear has subsided, and for most people, life is good.
The book you are about to read, The Power of a Humble Life, is in many ways a sequel to The True Measure of a Man, although it is not targeting just men. This is a book for men, women, young and old, and the message has the potential to be life-changing.
I dig into an issue, which plagues us all, though most of us are completely unaware that it exists in our lives, and I share what I consider to be life's greatest paradox. Many of God's important truths are foreign to the world we live in because they are so counterintuitive. For this reason, biblical truth often comes across as utter foolishness to some people.
What we do not recognize is that very often the wisdom of God, the truth of God, is paradoxical. Paradox is defined in Webster's as "a tenet that is contrary to received opinion. A statement or principle that is seemingly contradictory and opposed to common sense, but may in fact be true."
In this book, the paradox that I discuss is essential to a life well-lived. It strikes right at the heart of who we are as human beings, and its
ramifications are incredibly significant in all areas of our lives. It is of foundational importance if we want to live an exceptional life.
Life's greatest paradox is found in the title of the book—our strength is found in humility. This interesting and challenging concept, certainly not taught at Harvard Business School, is clearly counterintuitive.
As we explore the underpinnings of this great paradox, we will begin with the thorny issue of pride and arrogance and continue on by exploring the power of humility. At the end, I believe that you will clearly see the power of a humble life.